Unmasked Opinion: Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow

With Freedom Day of July 19 signalling the end of the legal wearing of face coverings and social distancing requirements, leading independent greeting card and stationery retailer, Sarah Laker (pictured top), owner of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow appeared on a recent BBC Radio 5 Live’s A Taste of Freedom programme to share her considered views…

Above: BBC 5 Live was keen to get Sarah involved in the programme about face coverings to give an independent retailer perspective — **Above:** BBC 5 Live was keen to get Sarah involved in the programme about face coverings to give an independent retailer perspective

“I’m not going to ask customers to wear masks as I feel that mask wearing has really affected our trade. Customers aren’t comfortable in them and so they either visit my shop, but don’t browse or else online instead.

Also, the steaming up of glasses is a big problem and prevents customers from browsing.

Above: Sarah feels her customers will feel more comfortable shopping in her two stores without having to wear a face covering. — **Above:** Sarah feels her customers will feel more comfortable shopping in her two stores without having to wear a face covering.

I’ll still keep one handy in case any customers prefer me to wear one and I’m happy for my staff to decide for themselves if they want to wear one or not.

I’ll also be glad not to ask customers if they’re able to wear masks as we’ve also had some really upsetting, quite horrid incidents with customers becoming abusive.”

Above: Sarah and her husband Matthew after they both had their second jabs. — **Above:** Sarah and her husband Matthew after they both had their second jabs.

The radio programme is still available to listen to on BBC Sounds by clicking here. Sarah appears around 10 minutes into the programme.

Commenting after the programme, Sarah told PG Buzz that she was still planning to wear a mask in certain situations

“I will definitely wear a mask on the train to London and on tubes en route to PG Live later this month, I think it would be silly not to,” says Sarah. “And I’m taking one to Harrogate to see how I feel when I’m there. But in the shops, I’ll be relieved not to wear one.”