BUSINESS leaders have welcomed the decision to lift Renfrewshire out of the toughest tier of lockdown restrictions this week.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday that the area is being moved from level four to level three, which will mean the reopening of non-essential shops, as well as pubs, restaurants, hair salons, barbers, gyms and leisure centres.

The new rules, which were in place in Renfrewshire during the start of November, come into force at 6pm on Friday, with stores being given permission to open from 6am.

Allan Henderson, chair of the Johnstone Business Consortium, said the Scottish Government’s decision was a step in the right direction.

He told The Gazette: “Most local businesses have been forced to shut over the past few weeks, so level four has had a terrible impact on them.

“I imagine businesses will welcome these restrictions being lifted as they can now trade again, apart from the pubs who still won’t be able to sell alcohol.

“Obviously it would be great to have no tiers at all, but we have to be sensible. We don’t want to have gone through this absolute nightmare only to go back up to level four again.”

Mr Henderson has also encouraged Renfrewshire residents to “shop local” this month to ensure the existence of high street businesses in the future.

He added: “We’re all determined to survive this, because we have no other option. It’s small businesses that keep this country going.

“The bigger corporations should also be paying their fair share of tax, because the money lost could have been used this winter to massively boost funding for the NHS.”

Renfrewshire is one of 11 council areas in Scotland where the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions are being lifted, along with the likes of neighbouring Glasgow and East Renfrewshire.

The return to level three restrictions means pubs and restaurants will still be unable to serve alcohol indoors or outdoors.

Residents should only leave their own council area for an “essential” reason, such as work and school.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I would ask everyone, especially those in areas moving down a level, to continue to do everything they can to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”