The High Street was quite busy on Monday as shopkeepers opened their doors for what had too long been called non-essential purchases. The mood was buoyant with some retailers such as Nigel Bourne at the Kitchen Shop already reporting good business.
Further along, Justin Smith was giving a polish to the brass window sills at Ashbees. Door ajar, the interior looked inviting on its first day of business for this new shop.
The Sue Ryder charity shop is open and receiving items for resale, and the Library is open again for restricted hours - on Mondays and Thursdays 10am till 4pm and on Saturdays 10am till 1pm.
Opportunities for new employment are being advertised at the Apothecary (still closed) on the corner with East Street. The Standard Inn is also looking for more staff - as are other venues - and I ventured into the open area behind the inn to find guests already seated at the table alcove named The Poacher's Knot.
High expectations seem well-founded, with continuing good coverage on BBC local television news, and a revivified Chamber of Commerce, ready to welcome visitors from afar choosing the area for this year's staycation.
Seeking work ?
Editor's note: And the slow return to normal life is reflected on the right of this page in the "Latest Job Vacancies" at Concepts, Jempsons, Rye's Heritage Centre, and the new Discovery Centre down at Rye Harbour.
So, if you have jobs to advertise, go to the "Submit a Job" at the top of this page. Listings are free. If we help you fill your job and you'd like to make a small donation, it would be much appreciated.
