Southsea small businesses relieved to welcome back customers after lockdown
SOUTHSEA small business owners were both relieved and overjoyed to welcome customers back to Albert Road on the first weekend after lockdown.
After having to cease trading for a second time, Southsea Tattoo Company owner Tim Childs said it would have been a ‘real struggle’ if he had not been allowed to reopen on December 2.
He said: ‘Any longer and it would have been a real struggle for the business to bounce back. I’ve lost around £30,000 of takings and had to dip into my savings to support the business.
‘It has been amazing to reopen and we’ve been really busy with customers. Everyone has been struggling to some extent and it’s really important that people support their local businesses where they can rather than just the big companies.’
Classed as a non-essential service, one of the sectors to suffer most has been hair and beauty.
Owner of Head Hairdressing for Men, Rick Christie, 52, said: ‘With my wife working as a teacher and my son at college
I was on my own a lot during the second lockdown and found it very isolating.
‘It’s been great to reopen and fortunately we’ve been really busy with customers. It’s absolutely massive that people support their local businesses at this time.’
It was sentiment shared by Rick’s client, Simon Potter, 54, who added: ‘I got my haircut shorter last time as we were expecting lockdown but it’s great to be able to come and get a haircut as well as the banter and conversation with the stylists. It’s vital we support local businesses.’
After purchasing their first shop, Pigeon Books, in February, Phil and Mel Davies suffered a cruel twist of fate, having to close just a month later as the pandemic escalated. The situation was compounded by the latest lockdown but the couple remain positive that brighter times are ahead.
Phil, 35, commented: ‘We were originally supposed to open in April but that was curtailed by lockdown. There’s no doubt it has been a difficult year and we’ve had to adapt our online sales.
‘However it’s fantastic to be open in the run-up to Christmas as we have already lost one month of festive trade. We’ve been really busy with customers since reopening and taken as much in the last two days as we normally do in a week.’
One of those customers, Lisa Pascoe, was keen to do her bit to support local businesses.
Lisa , 37, said: ‘I often come to Pigeon Books and unlike online I like to browse through the books. It’s nice to come and support local small businesses and to see some familiar faces.’
Another new Southsea shop is the Pastry Corner on Grove Road, which opened its doors to customers on Friday, December 4.
Owner Alexandra Bishop, 28, said: ‘It’s a bit daunting opening a shop in the middle of a pandemic but I had a dream and decided to follow it.
‘Yesterday we had to close early as all the cakes were gone by 2.30pm. There has been a really positive response from customers who’ve been saying "it’s about time Southsea had a patisserie”.’
However, it’s not just new shops which were delighted to welcome the return of customers.
Bored of Southsea skateboarding shop has been trading on Albert Road since 1997. The shop’s online manager Lloyd Davies, 30, commented: ‘Whilst we adapted the business to trade online it’s great to see our customers in person once again.
‘It’s really important to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas. I was furloughed during lockdown and it’s really important to help keep people in their jobs. I intend to do my Christmas shopping in local stores rather than online with Amazon.’
Its a sentiment endorsed by The News and our Shop Local campaign. Mixed emotions for pubs
After being placed in Tier 2 the city’s pubs have been allowed to welcome back customers – but only from the same household and only if purchasing a substantial meal.
Jack Rose, assistant manager at
Porters of Southsea, said: ‘It’s been a very difficult year but at least we can reopen. We are normally a food-based venue anyway but what we can’t rely on at the moment is the casual trade of people who may wish to pop in for a drink after shopping.
‘We’ve been reasonably busy since reopening and at least we’ve not been placed in tier three where we would have remained shut.’
It was a sentiment shared by customers Bryony Thompson and Joe Enright who were pleased to be able to come to a pub once again.
Bryony said: ‘I’m really pleased we are not in tier three as it would be just like still being in lockdown. It’s nice to be able to come to a pub for a drink and some food as well as supporting local businesses.’
Joe, 27, added: ‘With the vaccine on its way I’m looking forward to 2021 when hopefully things will get back to normal and you will be able to travel and come and enjoy a beer with friends at the pub.’