Town businesses doing better with growing footfall
SHOPPERS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT OUT AND ABOUT
THE town centre’s independent businesses are coping well despite the on-going challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 21 new ventures have been set up in Hinckley since the first lockdown and visitor footfall has been growing over the summer months.
Steve Wegerif is director of Hinckley BID (business improvement district), a group which exists to promote businesses in the town and which organises free family events throughout the year.
He said people are starting to feel more secure when visiting shops as the virus restrictions and social distancing measures have eased.
He said: “There are very few shops where people are wearing masks. There’s more confidence.
“It’s only when you read in the press there’s a sudden rise in the Covid rate, that has a knock-on effect temporarily, but only with a section of the population.
“What we are trying to do is persuade retailers and services that they need to open five or six days a week, and for a full working day.
“A lot are closing early and in the eyes of the consumer there’s some confusion.
“I see them standing outside shops wondering why they are closed.”
The BID runs a loyalty card scheme, which has a growing membership, with people from Nuneaton and Leicester regularly visiting the town.
Recent additions on Castle Street since the pandemic began include Just One More gym and fitness studio and Poco Loco bistro.
Other new ventures in the town include Revival cocktail bar and restaurant, which launched in Summer 2020, replacing The Gravity nightclub.
The town’s largest event of the year takes place next weekend, which sees an array of modern and vintage cars line Castle Street.
The free event is taking place on Sunday, September 19, from 10am to 4.30pm.
The town centre is soon to have a £1.85 million makeover, to repair and improve shop fronts and pay for events and activities to engage people in Hinckley’s heritage and culture.
The major four-year project is part of Historic England’s national High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme, and will include a contribution of around £360,000 from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.