He now wants to bring music to the market to make it even more attractive for shoppers.

Coun Tyrrell hopes to make the road closure for the market a permanent fixture so the market grows and people's enjoyment of the relaxed environment means they spend more on the stalls and in the shops to keep the town economy alive and kicking as well as enjoy meeting friends.

"I am not an online shopper myself," said Coun Tyrrell. "I shop in Long Sutton. If everybody in Long Sutton spent a little bit of their money here it would safeguard the future of our shops."

He says free parking at the town's three car parks is a big bonus for Long Sutton's economy.

"We have got plenty of parking here for residents and for people who visit the town," he said.

Sheila Tiller, the ladies' fashions store in Market Place, Long Sutton, is turning back the clock to give old fashioned, individual service to customers during the pandemic.

That may mean dropping off a selection of clothes to a customer to try on at home or a private appointment at the shop.

Owner Elaine Tunnard says only two customers from different households are allowed in at one time, aside from individual appointments, and all clothes touched or tried on but not bought are safely isolated for the recommended 72 hours.

There's also a strict customer handwashing regime with soap and water, instead of anti-viral gels, because alcohol in gels can mark clothing.

Elaine says the more personal service is "nearly like going back to proper retail".

She said: "I think people are maybe getting tired with the whole online procedure. It's nice for customers to come in here and have proper, one-to-one service.

"We have a lot of loyal customers who have supported us throughout, and we have new customers coming in following recommendations from various friends."

The business has been going for 42 years, sailing through good and bad times alike.

Elaine said: "We have been through recessions three or four times now, and each time you have to work a bit harder and do what you can - but this (the pandemic) was totally unforseen. We have never had anything like this before."

She says Long Sutton is fortunate to have so many independent shops - shops that rose to the challenge of COVID-19 and continued to serve the community.

She said: "I hope people don't forget the shops that were here when they needed them and that they continue to support them.

"Long Sutton is a nice little town and there's not many things that you can't buy here. We are a proper little cosmos."

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River Welland Spalding town centre (30954269)

David Pateman, from the nearby Parkway hardware store, said: "We are keeping quite busy. People are staying more local than they used to, which is good for Long Sutton - and it's good for any town when residents shop locally."

He says the town is busier on Fridays when the market is on and it would be good to have a few more stalls to add to the line-up.

David said: "It's a lovely atmosphere at the market especially with the lovely weather we have had."

Crowland: "The town is now as safe for shopping as it can be"

Crowland district and county councillor Nigel Pepper is among those urging residents to shop locally, especially as safe environments have been created in across a variety of businesses.

He said: "I understand there may be a few people that are hesitant in shopping during the present situation, however it is reassuring to see that premises have social distancing measures in place and shoppers are adhering to the guidelines of wearing masks and social-distancing and shopping in Crowland is now as safe as it can be.

"I urge people to shop locally, also to take advantage of the Government's 'eat out to help out' scheme during August which is already having a noticeable effect."

Coun Pepper paid tribute to the businesses that soldiered on while we were locked down - and is delighted to witness the re-awakening of other businesses in the town as well as the re-appearance of the market.

He said: "I offer my grateful thanks to the food stores and milk round that carried on through the peak of the pandemic with the staff working tirelessly and putting themselves at risk.

"Just about all others businesses have now cautiously re-opened, some have different opening hours than before and some have made adaptations to their premises.

"It is also pleasing to see Crowland's small market on Friday is back up and running, the friendly community spirit really shone through during a time of crisis.

"It's noticeable that we all now have neat and tidy hair owing to the barbers and hairdressers re-opening; it's also good to see that people are returning to the pubs which have made improvements to their premises during the lockdown and have safety measures in place.

Spalding: "I support our independent shops"

One of Spalding's oldest businesses, butchers George Adams and Son Ltd, reinvented itself by overnight establishing delivery and click and collect services as lockdown hit.

The services have been so successful that the business, based in The Crescent, Spalding, has kept its existing customers and attracted new ones who felt let down by empty supermarket shelves.

Rachelle Chew, from Adams, said: "Customers are feeling very safe shopping with us and we are getting a lot of positive comments.

"I never take anything for granted and I feel very honoured that each and every one of our loyal customers has stuck by us and adapted to our new way of serving.

"It has been a huge learning curve for us all, customers and team George Adams."

Rachelle says it is extremely important that people support their local, independent shops.

"If we don't, we won't have any independent shops left," she said.

District councillor Angela Newton is a big fan of Spalding's independent businesses and, at the height of lockdown, put out 5,000 leaflets so residents could see how businesses like George Adams and Bennett Butchers, in Winsover Road, Spalding, were adapting to keep on serving their customers.

Coun Newton said: "Generally speaking I buy everything I want in Spalding and I don't do online shopping. I support our independent shops as best I can.

"I use the little newsagents next to the South Holland Centre, instead of a national retailer, and I buy my bread from Curtis."

The former Spalding in Bloom chairman is full of praise for the council's efforts to make the town bright and beautiful - particularly Richard Knock and his team for basket tower, tub, and bed displays like those near High Bridge and in Hall Place.

Coun Newton said more stalls have joined the market and she is encouraging more shoppers to support the market as well as the independent shops who have made a huge effort to create safe shopping environments.

Sue Stubley, from Occasions Jewellers in Bridge Street, Spalding, is opening three days a week, 9am-3pm Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and is eager to welcome more customers.

She said: "People are having jewellery repaired more than buying new."

Sue says jewellery can disappoint when bought online because it may not live up to customers' expectations.

"At least if you go into a shop, you can look at the item and feel it, and you know there and then whether or not it's right for you," said Sue.

The shop owner would like to see the council do more for the traders and for the regeneration plans to move at a faster pace.

Sue would like the £3 a day parking fee to be lowered and also to see Beales opened for small shop units or stalls.

A spokesperson for South Holland District Council said: "In February this year, we met with local businesses as part of a planned engagement session for our town centre improvement plan. A number of really positive discussions centred around how we could make the town more accessible and appealing for both visitors and residents alike.

"Those discussions are being picked up again and shortly we will be repurposing the town centre improvement plan to support the town in light of the impact of COVID. To support this work, we have recently appointed a town centre co-ordinator whose remit is to start engaging with businesses and residents to get things moving."

Strands of Spalding, based in Clover Way, is also going the extra mile by running a shift system to look after loyal customers.

Sharon Tear, from Strands, said the business reopened on July 4.

"Some of our ladies, when we rang them to make appointments, actually cried because they were so happy to hear from us."

The dedicated team still have their own "lockdown" hair because they were determined to put their customers first.

"We haven't had our hair cut yet," said Sharon. "We are last on the list."

Beauty treatments at the salon started at the weekend and business is getting back to normal, apart from the strict measures in place to combat COVID-19.

"We are now booking people in for weekly blow-dries," said Sharon.

Holbeach: "Back the traders who supported us through pandemic"

Holbeach businesses have been praised for being "truly amazing" by adapting their trading models to serve the community in lockdown and post-lockdown.

Among those going the extra mile were butchers G Shearer and Son and Holbeach Wholefoods.

District councillor Tracey Carter said: "During lockdown, and now during the recovery phase of COVID- 19, Holbeach business owners have truly been amazing.

"So many of them quickly adjusted their ways of working, and supported the community in fabulous ways. Now it's our turn to show our thanks by shopping with them wherever possible.

"Shearers showed great initiative in their ways of working, by allowing people to stay in their cars while staff came out to them. I shopped with them before, but I now use them every single week and will continue to do so. They have been a lifeline for many who wanted good quality fresh meats at excellent prices and they have even done deliveries for people where possible

"Holbeach Wholefoods, again adapted to enable residents to shop safely, and even managed to stock flour which seemed to be more popular than toilet rolls for a time!

"During lockdown Yvonne from Fabric Fae stayed extremely busy making vast numbers of face masks and scrubs for local NHS staff, along with a number of her customers. It was amazing how many were made and how appreciated they were. She also recycled bedding and sheets etc to be able to keep making more, with myself and so many residents donating fabric to be used. She was able to post fabrics to people too. The shop offers a great choice and she always goes that extra mile. Definitely worth a visit.

"I don't order deliveries very often, but a Yorkshire puddings wrap from Milkshake Madness is really enjoyable. The shop is fairly new in Holbeach and has established itself wonderfully and again changed and adapted to be able to do deliveries to those who couldn't get out at the time."

Coun Carter is already looking to Christmas and believes Holbeach has plenty to offer.

She said: "We can all do a little shopping each week for Christmas to spread the cost and ease the burden."

Places on her shopping list include the handbag shop, which has now moved onto the High Street itself, Home and Antiques, who offering some wonderful unique gift ideas for people, along with more established businesses like QD, Victoria Crafts, and Cards and More.

Coun Carter said: "Holbeach has some lovely shops, some brilliant business owners, and they now need residents to support them as much as possible, be it for your fish and chips, a gift, or an everyday item - where possible, let's try to shop local and 'Love Holbeach'."

Caffe Aurora, in High Street, Holbeach, reopened on July 7.

The cafe's Cormac O'Hara says the business benefits from tourism and it seems like a normal summer so far as trade is concerned.

He says business is also being boosted by the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

"We had a nervous start for both us and our customers," he said. "But week by week it's getting busier and busier. We have got lots of our regulars back. The whole world seems to have gone on holiday and we have an awful lot of holiday and passing trade in July and August."

He says Caffe Aurora is one of the few places locally where people can sit inside to eat and there are strict COVID-19 measures in place.

The business is also benefiting from takeaway sales.