Two thirds of Scots say they will prioritise local shopping once town centres reopen
TWO-THIRDS of Scots will make shopping locally a priority to help boost struggling retailers and town centres following the coronavirus lockdown, a new poll has revealed.
According to a poll for Scotland’s Towns Partnership, the vast majority of Scots will look to shop locally when their local town centres fully reopen following lockdown.
The poll found that 66% say they are going to prioritise shopping locally while 64% say the future of their town centre depends on whether or not local people support them.
It also found that 88% think it is vital that the general public support their local high street.
The results come as high streets are facing a battle to survive amid declining footfall and store closures.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics saw Scottish shop numbers fall from 21,100 in 2018 to 20,955 in 2019 with vacancy rates sitting at 12.9% for the first quarter of 2020 – before lockdown.
Local retailers were not only competing with out-of-town shopping malls and discount supermarkets, but there was also the combined effect of many high street banks giving up their sites as more services moved online.
However, as retailers emerge from lockdown, the poll will give the sector a boost and comes on the eve of a national campaign to revive town centres post-Covid.
Leigh Sparks, professor of retail studies and a deputy principal at the University of Stirling, said the figures show strong support in Scotland for local high streets and the businesses trading there.
He said: “There is a sense of place and desire to see local stores, businesses and towns succeed, and a recognition that this depends in part on local residents supporting local places.
“The poll suggests that almost two-thirds of respondents will positively shift their spending to this end in the future.
“We need to ensure we capitalise on this positive sentiment by making it simpler to get to towns and high streets, make them more attractive and interesting, and make them easier places in which to set up local and community businesses and enterprises.”
Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said one of the positives of the lockdown experience has been how communities have come together and shown compassion and solidarity with one another.
“Building on this sense of loyalty and community is what is needed to bring about a town centre rival and, while these polling results are encouraging, we need to turn this goodwill and intention into action that is sustainable in the long term,” he said.
Colin Borland, director of devolved nations at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Things will be different, but it’ll just take one trip back to your hairdresser, favourite cafe or your local to remind you why you love going there, to remind you of the personal, expert service you can only get from a local small business.”