Retailers trade as much as possible before shutdown
SEVERAL businesses in Fleet town centre offered later shopping hours before they were forced to shut amid the new lockdown last week.
Many business owners said this closure will hit what is traditionally one of the best months for sales.
“November is the second best month, and December is the best,” said Tyler Harman of 217 Menswear in Fleet Road.
Mr Harman co-ordinated with other businesses to open later than usual on Tuesday last week.
“I had a little epiphany and rang round the other businesses, and said we will work together and promote [late opening] on social media,” he said. “People want to support local businesses at the moment, it is quite important and essential here in Fleet. The community has to get behind the retailers and we all want to do our best.
“It [the lockdown] is gutting, a lot of us are on our knees. I have just had to take it and accept it, there is no good in stressing about it.”
Since the first lockdown in March, Mr Harman has set up an online shop which he will continue to use throughout this month.
He fears if this lockdown is extended beyond December 2, many traders will not survive, saying: “I think it would be the death of many retailers, if it continues it will be devastating. We do not want to see the death of the high street before people realise we need it.”
Sarah Faulkner, owner of Gemini Hair Studio in Victoria Road, said staff have been working late nights since re-opening in July. The team split into two bubbles to keep safe, with each working half the week.
When lockdown was announced again her husband went to the salon the day after to fit shower curtains so both bubbles could work side by side and fit in as many appointments as possible, allowing ‘three weeks of clients’ to be seen in four days.
“It is awful, we are working long hours and our clients are gutted for us,” said Mrs Faulkner before the new lockdown kicked in.
“Being an independent salon, it is like a little family, I have had the salon for 12 years and I know everyone who walks through my door.
“We want to stay open, nobody can afford this and we are in the run-up to our busiest time,” she said, adding money from November and December often helps support the business in the new year.
Customers normally visit the salon to buy electrical hair products or stocking fillers for Christmas, and the lockdown will be a huge blow.
“People will just go online now,” Mrs Faulkner said. “Please shop local and don’t moan that we are more expensive than Amazon, you pay for our education and expertise.”
Hart District Council has said the pedestrianisation of Fleet Road will come to an end.
The measures have been in place for two months but have divided opinion in the town. After the district council received feedback from residents, retailers and businesses, it has decided to axe the project.
Cllr Graham Cockarill, cabinet member for economic development, said: “While I believe that there are positive impacts of the scheme, it is clear there is a groundswell of opinion among Fleet residents that the scheme is affecting their quality of life and these concerns outweigh the continuation of the road.”