How business CAN survive the lockdown
First they were hit by floods. Now the virus means they have to shut up shop. But these Shrewsbury traders are showing...
JUST a month ago the medieval town of Shrewsbury was hit by the worst flooding it had seen in 20 years. The River Severn rose to record levels and much of Shropshire’s county town and its half-timbered buildings were cut off. Some shops shut down after footfall fell to 25 pc of the previous year.
However, Shrewsbury is suffering once again. Like other towns and cities up and down the country, strict restrictions to curb the march of coronavirus have meant the closure of many shops and have forced residents to stay at home.
But independent businesses are determined to not only safeguard their livelihoods but also help the community.
Many are setting up new delivery and online services, while eagerly awaiting news about promised Government help.
Ian Cornall, owner of Barkworths Seafoods in Shrewsbury Market Hall made changes to the store’s delivery service, Le Fish, after customers rang to say they felt uneasy visiting the fishmonger in person.
Now, alongside cod and salmon, they can also order from other traders at stores he works with in the market and can buy meat from W. D. Butchers or Corbetts and fruit and veg from Maddocks.
They will pay the same price as if they had visited the market hall, but Ian is charged about 10 pc less when he buys the food — the difference in price means customers do not pay for delivery.
Payments can be made over the phone and customers who are self-isolating can arrange to have goods left on their doorsteps. About 40 pc of Ian’s orders are commercial, so he hopes the service will make up for the income lost from supplying restaurants.
Ian, 49, says: ‘I think a lot of people will see eating the food they’ve always enjoyed as a way to maintain normality in their lives.’
In the same market hall, Alison Staples runs Romy Design, which sells cushions, flower pots, leather wallets and jewellery as well as handmade greetings cards.
Alison has closed the shop due to the new restrictions but says she is ‘well-stocked’ with materials for making cards and gifts and is taking online orders instead.
Alison last week offered a Mother’s Day card service for customers unable to leave home. She charged the usual £2.50 for the cards, adding 70p for postage and a message.
After promoting the service on Instagram, 20 people placed orders for cards and about half a dozen bought gifts, too.
The designer has also replaced her in-store £30 macrame workshops with £20 DIY kits. Alison, 36, says: ‘I just hope the DIY kits can provide an activity for people who are stuck at home.’
Cake shop owner Brenda Docherty has had £2,000-worth of wedding orders cancelled by couples forced to postpone their big day due to the virus.
The Icing Tip, which also sells cake decorating supplies, saw takings drop 90 pc during the floods. Now it is closed due to the virus.
But the grandmother is hopeful that the £5 and £7 animal cookie cutters and Easter cupcake kits she began putting together last week will be a hit with parents, now schools are closed. Delivery is free.
Brenda, 62, says: ‘I am being positive about this. The weddings are being postponed but cake orders will be rebooked.’
Outside the market, the owners of Shrewsbury Taxis, Matt
Young, 50, and Natalie Jameson, 42, are offering grocery, medicine and takeaway deliveries.
Their 100 drivers charge a standard cab fare for transporting click-and-collect orders. They are also working with volunteer groups ordering food for residents who are self-isolating.
And 20pc discounts are offered on fares for NHS workers, supermarket staff and pensioners.
While it will be struggle for many small businesses to stay afloat, experts say that rich rewards could be waiting.
Clare Bailey, founder of Future High Street Conference, says: ‘This period will probably remind people how much they need their High Streets.
‘Once they are allowed out, there will be people who have money to spend after saving so much by staying at home.’