TEST Valley residents have reacted to polls by the Romsey Advertiser, which revealed more than 60 percent of participants would head out to support shops and businesses when they reopened yesterday.

This comes after Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, confirmed all non-essential shops would be allowed to open as part of the Government's plan to ease coronavirus lockdown measures.

Polls held on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, which provide a small snapshot of the situation, showed the majority of voters would shop in Romsey and across the borough on Monday.

On Twitter, 81 percent of users responded yes to the question, while on Instagram 66 percent said the same.

Hampshire Chronicle: Poll results from the Romsey Advertiser's Twitter accountPoll results from the Romsey Advertiser's Twitter account A poll on the Romsey Advertiser Facebook page found 64 percent of respondents would resume their shopping habits.

A post on the Facebook page asking readers to share their thoughts on the poll results sparked a debate and these are some of the comments.

One person said: "I'm not surprised by this result. I believe we must support our local shops, services and businesses.

"Let's use these nearby facilities or face losing them."

Two more users said they would "definitely be going shopping".

However, others raised concerns about a Romsey road not being closed off by Hampshire County Council (HCC) to allow shoppers to use it to socially distance.

One person said they will only go shopping "when The Hundred is closed to through traffic", adding: "I don't feel confident the pavements of The Hundred are sufficiently wide for both shop staff, queues, people emerging and pedestrians passing."

Another commented: "The one-way system for walking is a bit of a headache when you have young children and are trying to avoid traffic. "People are having to walk all through the town instead of cutting up by Boots [in The Hundred] like usual."

Deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment at HCC, cllr Rob Humby, said: "In Romsey, the county council is working with Test Valley Borough Council and the town centre manager to develop a scheme which allows the temporary closure of The Hundred to help with social distancing as the town centre reopens.

"New signs are due to be installed within the next two weeks to discourage drivers from using The Hundred, warning drivers that pedestrians are likely to be in the carriageway due to social distancing and to drive carefully."