IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK!
Pompey fans in the stands at Fratton Park and shoppers on the streets as Covid-safe ‘normality’ returns across the city
SMALL firms are breathing a sigh of relief as shoppers returned to the high street.
There was a buzz in the air over the weekend as people took advantage of shops being open again after lockdown with the countdown truly on until Christmas
Meanwhile the Fratton faithful returned to the stands for the first time since March and cheered Pompey to a cracking 2-0 win, with assistant manager Joe Gallen naming them the best fans in the country.
SMALL shops threw open their doors to eager punters on the traditionally busy first weekend of December.
But it was also Small Business Saturday - a campaign designed to highlight the importance of local independent shops.
It is an importance that has been highlighted during the coronavirus pandemic as more people rush to support such outlets; the bedrock and identity of their communities.
In Southsea there was a vibrancy in the air as people sought to take advantage of valued local shops being open once again.
Matt Crick, owner of fur niture shop Victoriana on Marmion Road, said he welcomed the positive impact of Small Business Saturday and The News’ #supportlocal campaign.
‘As a small business we welcome the support we have had,’ he said. ‘It is a big advantage to us to have such help at this time.
‘We are lucky because we have a very good and loyal clientele and we are very grateful for their support.
‘We have been here for 36 years and have a good name in the community and get a lot of business from word of mouth. We believe we are good on prices and good on service too.
‘(Saturday) was busy with quite a f ew people coming through the door. It’s not been the best of years - being shut for four months is not great.
‘But we were lucky with our customers after both lockdowns - they have kept us going.’
The shop offers bespoke solid wood f ur niture products but also has an array of smaller gifts and or naments.
Manager Annelie Gordon, added: ‘We’ve been selling a lot of smaller Christmas type items and have been busy getting the fur niture out.
‘We have adapted over the years and the customers keep coming back which is good.’
Kim Hayman, owner of Eclettika, which sells handmade candles and Luxury home fragrance items, also on Marmion Road, was pleased with the support she received from locals.
‘It’s been busy, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’ve been pleasantly surprised,’ she said. ‘It’s good to see local shops open again and people supporting them.
‘Big businesses will survive so it’s important people support us smaller shops. It’s good to be back to work and seeing people in the shop.
‘We only opened in June and I had everything planned in detail...and then there was a global pandemic. But it’s fantastic to finally be back.’
Customer Gemma Vale, 38, of Southsea, who bought items in the shop, said: ‘It’s good to see local shops open again and they are something I try and support.
‘Big businesses will be ok but smaller shops need our support. Southsea has a great offering of shops which we are lucky to have.’
Matt Bond, manager of
Palmerston Road bar The Monarch, admitted this year had been ‘testing’ with ‘many hurdles’ to overcome but was ‘adapting’ to the new challenges.
‘We have a lot of bookings - people still want a Saturday night out - we just have to adapt to the changes,’ he said.
‘We are a small business so welcome Small Business Saturday. Anything that helps us and others like us is good.
‘It has gone well so far and we’re pleased to see people back. Everyone is so understanding to the restrictions now.’
We are lucky because we have a very good and loyal clientele