Welcoming shoppers back to city
A video encouraging residents and visitors to shop local has been launched by the council in partnership with local businesses.
It features local business owners welcoming shoppers back to the high streets in Chichester, Selsey and East Wittering, and explaining the steps they have taken to keep shoppers safe.
The video is part of the council’s ‘Support Local’ campaign, which is being delivered in association with Chichester Observer and Midhurst and Petworth Observer. The campaign is part of a wider package of support designed to help local businesses reopen in line with the government’s recovery plan.
Councilor Martyn Bell, cabinet member for growth, place and regeneration at Chichester District Council, said: “Now more than ever, it’s vital that we visit our high streets and support local businesses across our district.
“Businesses across the district have been working hard to make sure that all the right measures are in place to keep shoppers and staff safe.”
Munneries in East Wittering, which has been operating throughout the lockdown, has limited customers to five at a time and introduced a one way system through the shop.
Its director, Julie BarkerMuzzell said: “People shouldn’t feel nervous about visiting us, we have put in place every measure possible to ensure that our customers and staff are kept safe.
“While our core customers have changed since the lockdown, we are still very much focused on sourcing high quality produce.
“So, whether it’s potatoes, broccoli, salad or summer fruits, webuylocally wherever we can and we pride ourselves on our commitment to finding the best produce as well as providing first class, friendly customer service.”
The newly-reopened R. L. Austen Jewellers in Chichester’s East Street has introduced the role of ‘host’, who is working at the shop entrance to direct customers to the correct part of the store for their requirements, and to manage the number of people in the showroom.
Joshua Getting, store manager, said: “We love being able to interact with people in person, and now that our showroom is open again, we very much look forward to welcoming new and existing clients to make their special memories and purchases.
“All of our staff are using personal protective equipment ( PPE) and have been fully trained on all of the changes we have made to the way we operate. I am very proud to say they have done an exceptional job in keeping our staff and our customers safe.
“We have all been very impressed with the way stores have reopened in Chichester — they have all done so in a very safe and effective way.
“Anyone coming to Chichester to shop should have every confidence that they are able to do so safely, and we’re sure they will have an enjoyable visit.”
Jackie Hibbert, who runs clothing store Lifestyle in Selsey High Street with her husband Graham, said she was delighted to be welcoming back customers again.
“Even at school, and in all my jobs since, I have been a social person. My husband and I have really missed having contact with our customers,” she said.
“We have put in place a number of measures around the shop, including a cleaning station, a quarantine rail for ‘tried-on’ clothing, and directional signs such as arrows, two metre lines and a box at the till.
“We are lucky because we have two doors, one of which we are now using as an entrance and the other as an exit. We have sectioned the store up to make a one way system. We’re doing the very best we can for our customers — the store doesn’t look as pretty, but it’s safe and that’s what’s important at the moment!”
Gary Shipton, Editor of the Observer, said: “As part of our #supportlocal campaign we are delighted to be partnering with Chichester District Council to do everything we can to support local businesses.
“This is a critical time for them, our high streets and many, many local jobs.
“I know that businesses havegonetoenormouslengths to ensure they can operate safely for their customers and we are very proud to be part of this initiative.”