A RETURN to more normal trading is on the cards for several of Bury's independent traders today.
Major players like Debenhams and Primark have announced they will be reopening and Mill Gate shopping centre will be welcoming back more outlets.
But some of the area's smaller names are also taking tentative steps as lockdown restrictions are eased.
Stallholders at Bury's indoor market - which before now has seen Barbecue Barn and Katsouris Deli holding the fort - are expected to reopen where permitted with a similar story for Radcliffe Market later in the week.
Sweetmeats specialist Slattery's, in Whitefield, are stepping up operations while for stores like Village Greens Co-op, in Prestwich, it will be business as usual.
Several eateries such as Barista, in Bury, have turned to home deliveries to help them through hardship during lockdown.
Owner Victoria Kay said their recently-launched Barista@home service was designed to supply "posh ready meals" for customers to reheat in their own kitchens.
One of the borough's hotbeds for independent outlets, Ramsbottom, will see a number of reopenings today.
The likes of Velvet, Hushmoon and Memories Antiques on Bridge Street and Isherwood's Fine Furniture, on Bolton Road, all say they are planning to test the water.
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