Shops fear online shift with lockdown 2
TRADERS ‘GUTTED’ AT BEING TOLD TO SHUT DOORS AGAIN:
BURTON traders say they are ‘gutted’ at being forced to close due to lockdown in what traditionally is one of the busiest months of the year as we head towards Christmas.
Shops across Burton will have to close on Thursday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national month-long lockdown.
It will mean that all non-essential businesses will have to shut up shop.
But with it being the run-up to Christmas, it would normally be the busiest time of the year and now traders fear that customers will do their festive shopping online as they cannot go out to the shops.
Shoppers were already trying to get some shopping in before the lockdown, as the town centre appeared busier than it normally would have been on a Monday.
Peter Hardingham, of Start and Tremenyne, said: “It’s certainly very disappointing but we understand that under the circumstances it’s not altogether a surprise.
“It mustn’t be allowed to continue any longer than it has to. There were concerning comments coming out at the weekend that it might be extended beyond December 2 and that would be devastating.
“It’s a bit different for us this time as we have a new website that we didn’t have before and set up in the first lockdown.
“People can order and get free delivery locally either that same day or the next day. You can pretty much get anything from the shop online.”
He urged shoppers to spend locally and back small businesses in the town looking for local website if they wished to shop online.
He added: “We would like more clarification from Boris Johnson about click and collect - is that just for takeaways and essential retailers?
“If that’s something that’s allowed, maybe people can come at an appointed time once they have ordered online.
“People can rest assured that I, and other businesses, will do everything we can to maximise business without breaking the law.
“Things had started to pick up and people were shopping locally in recent weeks. It has not been all doom and gloom.
“Independent businesses are doing okay but they need every bit of support to get through these difficult times.”
Carol Atton, of Ooh My Goth, in Worthington House, said: “The lockdown should’ve been done earlier. It’s come at the wrong time for me personally.
“People are wanting to go out and get Christmas presents now and they can’t.
“People are going to go back to buying online and I’m going to lose out again, like I did last time.
“I know it’s got to be done to try to beat this thing but I think it could’ve been done a little earlier. I am disappointed to have to close but it’s obvious that we’ve got to beat this virus and I’m hoping that’s what it’s going to do.” She will be posting pictures of all the new stock she has got in ready for Christmas on Facebook and people will be able to buy them online, paying through Paypal, and then it will either be posted out or arranged via click and collect without anyone being able to go in the shop.
Mrs Atton said: “My customers have been very supportive which I’m really pleased about.
“I just want people to stay safe until we can beat this. It’s going to be around for a long time as it’s not going away.
“I’m just going to have to get used to doing things differently.
“The main thing is just that people try to stay safe and if I have customers who want anything, please contact us through Facebook and I will try to sort them out.”
James Furniss, of Ahoy Sailor, in High Street, said: “Looking at the figures it shows something needs to be done; it should’ve happened sooner to be honest.
“We’re frustrated as a business as it’s the time of year when we’re busy in the run up to Christmas but everyone is in the same boat.
“I think it will be busy for the next three days as people are scared they will miss their chance to come into town to do their shopping. “Obviously this is going to affect the business at the busiest time of year. We’ll be doing similar to the last lockdown and will be open online. “Local people can get it delivered by ordering through the website or social media.
“We will let people pay online and it will be delivered. Click and collect is not something we’ve looked into but if customers want to come and collect them from the door it won’t be a problem.
“Christmas is the busiest time for us and usually a week or two before we get a mad rush.
“If we do open in December will there be a mad rush then? I can’t see that being helpful to the situation.
“We want to be open as soon as we can. The shop is safe, we’re cleaning regularly and only let a certain number through the door.
“We’re taking it day-by-day and week-by-week. We don’t want this to happen again in February.”
Tina Hiscox, of Hiscox The Jewellers, in High Street, said: “It’s another blow. We still get all our regulars in but we’re gutted. We’re only just getting back into the swing of it.
“I definitely don’t think it’ll be over by the beginning of December.
“The last few weeks have been absolutely fine but now it’s back to square one.
“It’s the time for all the Christmas trade and it means that everyone is going to buy online. They want to come in and look at it first.
“It’s been a bleak year and people need something nice to look forward to. We will get through it. We always do; without a doubt. We’ve been in the town for a long time.”
I definitely don’t think it’ll be over by the beginning of December.
Tina Hiscox, Hiscox the Jewellers
Chrissie Hill, of The Vintage Boutique, in the Market Hall, is remaining positive that business will return when the shops reopen.
She said: “I’ve been blown away by it. It gives us no chance at all.
“They have cut it fine for December 2. It’s very sad. I feel sad for all the little businesses and for the older people who look forward to having a cup of tea and socialise a bit.
“It’s very difficult. I will just shut and stay shut until it’s over and won’t be able to do anything.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my 74 years. Never anything so destructive to people’s lives. “I’ve been quite busy today. “I’ve got very good customers and a lot of them will come back to me. I’m just stunned.”
Emma Whittaker, of Aidan’s Books and Vinyl Printing, in the Market Hall, said: “I will have to cease to trade as I’m not essential and just gutted but accept that everyone is going to be in the same boat. We’ve got to look forward and get to the other side of this and deliver business as normally as we can.
“I’ve thought about selling some of the stuff online and doing local deliveries.
“I’m shocked but know it was in the pipeline for a while but listening to Boris he was saying it wasn’t necessary so I think for it to happen was a shock.
“We do a lot of stocking fillers so in the last month we might be able to salvage some of the Christmas sales but making sure everyone is safe is a higher priority.”
Russ Heenan, owner of the Rustee Skate Shake in the Market Place, which only opened on Friday, said: “The lockdown doesn’t stop people skating as it’s mostly solitary and I’ve had many people say it’s amazing to have a skate shop in Burton.
“The biggest business I’ve had so far is replacing bearings as people haven’t had chance to come and look yet.”