Fearing prospect of new lockdown
BUSINESSES TALK OF QUIET FESTIVE TRADE
SHOP and cafe owners are fearing the prospect of tighter restrictions and say the measures recently put in place have already had an impact on trade.
On Monday, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said the government was continuing to “monitor the data” as ministers consider what further restrictions may be needed, but they could not rule out imposing tighter restrictions to curb the spread of Omicron.
The Mercury spoke to business owners in Hinckley to gauge their views on the issues – and a number of them said shopper confidence had already faltered.
One cafe owner said he immediately saw a dip in footfall when people were ordered to start wearing masks in shops again, while several businesses reported the town’s high street was quieter than usual in the build up to Christmas.
Furniture and homeware store Jaspers, in Castle Street, has had steady sales since reopening this year, but managers say that announcements from government could immediately affect trade.
Manager Gareth Hancock said: “Last year, we missed the January sales completely. I’m hoping and praying we don’t miss that opportunity again.
“It’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen.
“I think the government has a plan, I just hope it’s not a lockdown.
“Every time there’s an announcement, it has an immediate effect.
“People tend to stay home, to stay safe, then a couple of days later they come out again. It’s been like that all the way through.”
Mr Hancock said he fears that other businesses in the area could take a major hit if there is another lockdown, particularly in the hospitality sector.
He said: “It’s worrying because if we have another lockdown, there will be a huge amount of businesses that haven’t recovered.
“The damage we have sustained will take a few years to recover, but we’re one of the lucky ones.”
Diane Hemsley runs gift shop Swag Box, in New Buildings. She said they sometimes have very quiet periods of the day and then a burst of customers, but the shop has been busy in recent days as Christmas Day approaches.
With regard to the prospect of another lockdown, she said: “I can imagine it happening, with people speaking about Omicron and the spread of it. I don’t think people are worrying as much because so many people are fully vaccinated.”
Hinckley BID (Business Improvement District), which promotes businesses in the town centre, has co-signed a letter from many BIDs across the country, calling on the government to provide more help.
The message to the Prime Minister calls for business rates relief for firms in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, with 100 per cent business rate relief up to and including March 31, 2022. They also urged the VAT reduction for the hospitality sector of 12.5 per cent be extended through to the end of March next year, and for grants of up to £15,000 to help struggling businesses.
BID director Steve Wegerif said of businesses: “They’re steady, because a lot of people are Christmas shopping, but they are not as busy as they could have been. “It’s retail that are really suffering. “A lot of tables have been cancelled at restaurants. People have been encouraged to be scared of mixing socially.”