Local solicitors' firm Thatcher + Hallam LLP is very much set and ready for the nation's second lockdown starting today Thursday 5th November. The Managing Partner at the practice is William Weller, who is working hard getting the message out to clients, fellow local businesses and the community that the firm is both open and here to help.

'As soon as the lockdown was announced over the weekend, on Monday morning we were immediately in contact with clients both personally and via the media to let them know that if they were in the process of moving house or were planning to move house, then they were largely exempt from the new government restrictions,' says William. 'Clients who already have a completion date or are planning to move in the next few weeks will largely be unaffected by the latest lockdown. The local residential property market in this part of Somerset remains extremely busy with fresh instructions being received every day, so this particular piece of news has come as a huge relief for many families.'

William Weller says that the firm will continue to provide a full legal service from today and for the remainder of this second lockdown.

'We remain open to existing and new clients, but as earlier this year, our way of delivering those services will be slightly different to normal,' explains William. 'The safety of our community, clients and our own staff remains paramount. Our reception remains open and fully operational, although we are no longer able to meet clients face to face. We ask that people do not visit in person unless by prior arrangement to deliver documentation. We also ask that face coverings be used when entering the building to drop off any documents.'

The firm remains committed to meeting with their clients, but with most of these meetings being carried out 'remotely' rather than face to face. Individual meetings with clients can take place over the telephone, via Zoom, Skype or Facetime. Over the summer, Thatcher + Hallam has also invested in its own Media Suite to make it easier and more comfortable to hold 'remote' meetings with clients.

'We have excellent technology installed,' adds William. 'Our communications and IT systems mean that no client would even be able to guess whether a member of our staff was working from the office or from home.'

Over the last lockdown hundreds of clients were helped via the firm's Virtual legal Surgery. William Weller is able to confirm that this will continue.

'Particularly during these challenging times, it is even more important that people have access to quality legal advice,' says William. 'As well as our usual legal services from buying or selling your house, to accident claims, family disputes, making a will or commercial property and business law, we are delighted to be able to continue with the virtual surgery. Pandemic or not, people still need legal advice.'

'I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking our clients for their continued support and understanding,' adds William. 'For more details on what we are doing and how we can help, our website can be visited here: the T+ H site

For those without the internet, we can always be contacted on 01761 414646. You can also follow us on social media, where we post regular updates on how we continue to operate. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.'