Plans to help city centre to ‘bounce back’
Like many areas, Bath’s independent shops and bustling streets have taken a hit in the pandemic.
Walks around town have been quiet since the start of the third lockdown, but even the joy of looking into a closed shop window to see what they’ve got has dwindled as more empty premises pop up.
Many stalwarts of the high street in Bath have gone, like Bartlett & Sons the butcher and Mayther, after a terrible year with coronavirus.
Bath and North East Somerset Council said it has 29 premises in its ownership which are empty at the moment, 11 of which are awaiting works.
A browse of property websites shows a huge range of other commercial buildings on offer for rent, like office spaces and retail spaces, including one in Milson Street available for £10,000 per calendar month.
Many independent shops are simply looking forward to having a big bounceback, like Suave Owl, a 1920s-inspired suit shop on Milsom Street.
But what can be done to draw business back into the city?
Bath and North East Somerset Council said it was working with West of England Combined Authority to find ways to help businesses and that it encouraged the use of pop-up shops.
Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, said: “At Christmas we ran a pilot project with local artists to promote vacant properties in Bath city centre by animating shop windows, which celebrated local retail in an inviting way and encouraged two pop-up shops to open.
“We are also working with the West of England Combined Authority on effective ways to support our high streets.”
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) has said it has been showing people how to support local businesses online while waiting for coronavirus restrictions to ease. It also said that statistics forecast that footfall in UK high streets will rise by 59 per cent when retail reopens – a greater rise than at the end of the first two lockdowns.
A spokesperson for Bath BID said: “The past year has undoubtedly been extremely difficult for businesses in Bath, and many of the city’s retailers and hospitality businesses are relying on a strong bounceback once they reopen.
“At the beginning of this year, the Bath BID went through a ballot process, where 89 per cent of our member businesses voted in support of continuing the organisation for a further five years.
“We are so pleased that despite the difficult circumstances, businesses have placed their trust in the Bath BID to help secure a bright future for Bath and will be investing in the success of the city.
“Throughout the current lockdown period, we have used our Welcome to Bath website to encourage people to continue to shop from Bath’s businesses by showcasing all the ways people can support local from home.
“As businesses in the city reopen, we will continue to utilise the Welcome to Bath website and our social media channels to promote businesses and encourage people to shop local.”
Bath BID is also planning to relaunch Rediscover Bath to show people how to enjoy the city.
The spokesperson said: “The campaign aims to welcome people back into the city, showcase all the ways people can enjoy Bath safely, and reignite everybody’s love of the city.
“Our data shows that 70 per cent of people living in the UK who spend time in the city centre come from less than 20km away, so we will be targeting our campaign activity towards people who live in or near Bath.
“We have seen some encouraging signs for the high street’s recovery. As the weather picks up, people will be out and about, with lockdown regulations now allowing people to enjoy a coffee in the city outdoors with a friend.”
They added: “We know that people are looking forward to a return to normality and are looking forward to seeing people back as they rediscover their love for spending time in the city centre.”