Inhard times, we can help our nation of shopkeepers
While challenging, the pandemic has shown us the best of Yorkshire. Cottage industries and our nation of shopkeepers for the 21st century can help bring a little cheer this festive season.
THE WORD ‘‘ unprecedented’’ made an unwelcome and enduring entrance into our vocabulary in March and it seems like we’ve been faced with a relentless stream of twists and turns ever since. For operations like ours at The Piece Hall, the impact of the first lockdown was swift and hard- hitting.
Since successfully reopening after a major refurbishment in 2017, we have welcomed millions of visitors, hosted famous music acts, played host to television programmes such as The Antiques Roadshow and seen events like the Tour de Yorkshire use our iconic building as a stage.
To go from those heady highs, looking forward to a record- breaking year in 2020, to sadly pulling our gates closed and not knowing when they would reopen, has been a bitter pill to swallow.
But among that sombre atmosphere, there have been points of light. Over recent months, and especially since we reopened in July, people’s resilience, determination and kindness has been in abundance. The mantra became “we will not to be beaten by this virus”. While times have been tough, it has also brought out the best in many people.
I am a firm believer that culture, heritage and retail – the three areas in which we operate – can and must play a vital role in our economic and social recovery. Culturally, the arts, entertainment and space for people to meet, relax and unwind are of vital importance. It brings purpose, meaning and vibrancy to our lives. It sits at the foundations of the Yorkshire economy.
Heritage, too, has a vital role to play. Historic buildings such as ours – the only surviving Georgian cloth hall from the glory days of our textile trade – play a crucial role in acting as a magnet for tourism and inward investment.
Finally, and crucially, retail is a true cornerstone of the British economy. At around the time that The Piece Hall was being built, the phrase ‘‘ a nation of shopkeepers’’ first appeared. Originally intended as a disparaging remark, it has new resonance today. Yorkshire and the North have historically been seen as the ‘‘ home of the cottage industry’’, and I firmly believe that independents and retailers in particular are the lifeblood of our communities and can play a key role in the rejuvenation of our towns and cities.
We not only have a responsibility to the millions of people who walk through our doors and to the local communities we serve ( with The Piece Hall delivering nearly £ 6 back into the economy for every £ 1 invested in terms of public funding), but we have more than 40 businesses from dedicated tenants who rely on us for their trade and livelihoods. Whether small cafés or independent outlets selling arts and crafts, we directly support hundreds of jobs – and indirectly, many times that.
While our tenants, like many, have had to endure tough times over the past months, they have also shown Yorkshire grit which makes me certain that we can come through these challenges. By nature, independent retailers tend to be able to act with more agility than those with more complex supply- chains and responsible for delivering shareholder value. In these times of uncertainty, that agile approach has been a hallmark for success, driving innovation and muchwelcome economic benefits.
So however tempting it may be to shop with one of the internet giants this Christmas, it is definitely worth considering the many benefits of looking a little more local. With ‘‘ non- essential’’ shops forced to close until December 2, many have shifted their focus to online. Many of our traders have taken advantage of an initiative we worked quickly to put in place – a click and collect offer, available via The Piece Hall’s website, so that visitors can still shop at their favourite retailers and support local businesses.
Not only can smaller retailers with a strong digital presence offer something a little different, but you know that you are getting good value for money and supporting a vital part of our economy. A few pounds spent in local retail is another meal on the table of a hard- working family, and another welcome boost for our towns and cities.
Much has been made of the demise of the high street, but I like to think of it as more of a reimagining. Providing customers with something special – that ‘‘ little bit extra’’ – is something that we can all get behind. In a recent briefing paper, charity Sustrans highlighted the need to keep ‘‘ improving the experience as an attractive place to dwell, shop, see friends, and run errands’’. The ‘‘ shopping experience’’ needs to be brought to the fore again, and it is up to organisations such as ours to facilitate this.
While undoubtedly challenging, the pandemic has shown us the best of Yorkshire. Cottage industries and our nation of shopkeepers for the 21st century can help bring a little cheer to the lives of many this festive season.