Wilkies clothing boss hoping Borderers will back the high street upon re-opening

Wilkies clothing store, Bank Street, Galashiels.

That’s assuming Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gives the go-ahead for nonessential retail outlets to open as part of the phase two easing of lockdown.

Wilkies owner and managing director Karen Forret is assuring customers the chain’s 14 Scottish stores, including two in Galashiels’ Bank Street and Peebles High Street will reopen.

“Our managers have been in setting up the stores for reopening,” she said. “All of our Scottish stores will reopen as soon as we have been given the green light. I believe the First Minister will be giving that green light for Monday.”

That assurance comes after there were concerns shared that the Galashiels store was in line for closure.

However, that store and its counterpart in Peebles, employing four and six staff respectively, will reopen as planned.

Any delay in allowing them to do so could impact severely on the retail industry, Ms Forret warns.

“I am hopeful we’ll be given the go-ahead to reopen Saturday or Monday. If that’s not the case I think the damage done to the high street will be a lot worse.

“It cannot be kept closed for any longer.

“I was in our Berwick-upon-Tweed store when it reopened last week and there were Scottish customers there.

“The devolved decision on this has done no favours for the Scottish retailers.”

Measures are being put in place at both Wilkies stores in the region in preparation for their reopening.

“We will have strict social distancing measures in place but some offers for reopening too,” Ms Forret added. “We will use 46 hours lay aside for things that are being brought back and we’re keeping fitting rooms closed for at least the first couple of weeks.

“The big thing for Wilkies is that a large part of our customer base see visiting the high street as a vital part of their social life.

“We are slightly bucking the trend in that in the past seven years we have opened five new stores.

“We have a lease in place for our Bank Street store for another seven years.

“Our customers can rest assured we will reopen and we really need them to use the high street.

“Nicola Sturgeon needs to give people that peace of mind and suggest they do that.”

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