A POPULAR Christmas tree supplier is delighted to have reopened to customers after a Government rule change – and will deliver to customers for the first time.

The Government has changed lockdown rules so that tree farms and sellers can open in England during lockdown, meaning Trinity Street Christmas Trees in Dorchester has been able to welcome back customers ahead of the festive season.

Owned by Peter and Tamzin Hyde, the business has been trading for 30 years in the area and has had to adapt its business during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Hyde feared that if independent Christmas tree suppliers were forced to stay closed, supermarkets would have capitalised on their loss of trade.

He said: “We have been planning to open anyway and The British Christmas Tree Growers Association had lobbied for support from the Government to be allowed to reopen stores.

Dorset Echo:

“It is great news that we have been allowed to reopen and we are delighted to see our customers again.

“We want to ensure that everyone has a great Christmas after such an awful year and we have a huge responsibility to play our part in making Christmas 2020 a great one.”

His trees are grown locally in Dorset for between seven to 10 years, where they are harvested and pruned to ensure they are 'as fresh as possible when they enter your home'.

A number of social distancing measures have been implemented at the Trinity Street site, including a one-way system and a hand sanitiser pump at the entrance. Staff and customers are also wearing face coverings.

Mr Hyde said: “We also have a big responsibility to make sure that everyone has a great Christmas tree and that our customers and local residents can safely pick their own trees in a Covid safe environment.

“All of our trees are wrapped in biodegradable netting and we are encouraging our residents to plant their own Norway Spruce sapling at home when they buy a tree from us.”

One major change this year is that customers can buy their trees online and can even choose their tree over Zoom from the comfort of their home for a £10 donation to Barnardo’s.

Trinity Street Christmas Trees will also be selling its trees outside Morrisons in Bridport for the first time as well as outside Morrisons in Weymouth from tomorrow, Saturday, November 28.

The Trinity Street site is open seven days a week.