Battling traders who deserve our support

They may be battered and bruised, but city traders are showing spirit and determination in the face of this pandemic.

Independent businesses all along St Luke’s Terrace have revealed a fighting mentality that serves their community proud.

As part of our #SupportLocal campaign we visited this once-thriving part of the city to find out how traders were coping in the eye of the Covid storm.

And while they all agreed times were hard, there was a clear determination to adapt and thrive even during the toughest of lockdown restrictions.

The difficulties of operating a business during a pandemic were highlighted by Michael and Zoë Jameson who run The Urban Terrace Kitchen Deli.

Michael said: "One of the biggest differences, however, is that the perspex screens, and the fact we can only have two customers in at a time, takes the heart and soul out of the business. We’ve always been community-led and people would often stop and chat with us, and other customers."

Others told us similar stories, but there was a sense of camaraderie between businesses with many working together to help each other out during the pandemic.

Zoë said: “As a small family business we would encourage people to shop local to protect your local community businesses that are open, and their small, independent supply chain.”

Too true. Which is why once again, we would urge readers to, where possible, shop local and help out the businesses on their doorstep. They deserve our support.