It’s great to support our high streets but stay safe

During the past year, somanyof our freedoms have been restricted. Even shopping – a recreational leisure activity – has been limited. This has, unsurprisingly, hugely dented sales for many businesses and damaged our high street’s survival rate further.

However, with the roadmap unlocking, it’s great to see so many supporting shops as soon as they are allowed to – providing they are being safe while doing so.

According to a spokeswoman for Portsmouth City Council, one store said it was their ‘busiest trading day ever’, beating even Boxing Day sales of previous years.

Data gathered from the centre of Portsmouth on April 12 as lockdown restrictions eased showed 27,350 people visited Commercial Road in just one day.

While shops in Commercial Road put measures in place to ensure customers were safe – such as hand sanitiser and enforcing face masks – it is important to remember we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to the pandemic.

Public safety is a priority reiterated by council leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

‘Attheendof thedaythisis still about keeping people safe,' he said.

'We all know the rules.

‘Even if you have been vaccinated you still need to keep a safe distance from people, you still need to wear a mask and wash your hands regularly.

‘The virus is still out there and it is still killing people.’

The government’s priority is helping businesses and our economy get back on its feet and this was highlighted in the budget earlier on in the year.

However, let’s ensure we do not go backwards.

We must support our high street and local businesses which are so crucial to our city’s community, but always stay safe while doing so.