City businesses are optimistic for 2022
Following the turbulent year that was 2021, business owners in Chichester are optimistic that 2022 will be a fruitful one.
Jonathan Jones, owner of West Street Deli, said he was looking forward to the year ahead: “To be honest, the first thing I’m looking forward to is getting through January. It’s always a quiet month for any business. Fortunately I had a very good December, as an opening month it was fantastic. We’ve had great support and custom building already and I am looking forward to building that custom throughout the year.
“For me it’s going to be a very interesting time. Obviously the streets are quiet in January but it’s all about diversifying for me and coming up with new ideas to get the footfall in the door.
“So for me, it’s quite exciting, this is a brand new business and it’s my first January, first full year trading, and obviously with Covid, it’s going to impact me in the high street with it being quieter and less people around for lunchtimes so I’m going to capitalise on business as much as I can and do as much as I can for such a small shop.”
Julia Grant, who owns Winter’s Moon on North Street, wasfeeling‘cautiously optimistic for both the city and her business.
She said: “There is still a lot of anxiety as we are not out of the woods yet but we are in a much better position than this time last year. This will be our first spring being open on the high street, despite having been at no 29 North Street for two years so there is still a lot we don’t know. But Winter’s Moon had a very positive Christmas trading season and we are working hard to continue to offer a really individual product range and great customer experience both in-store and online, so feel we have a really good foundation for growth in 2022.
Meanwhile independent businesses will also be helped this year through Chichester District Council’s partnership with Shopappy – an online shopping platform that customers can use to browse products and services from small businesses and pay for them online or in store.
Councillor Tony Dignum, cabinet member for growth, place and regeneration at Chichester District Council, said: “Many people shop online so we need to consider how we use this method of purchasing to drive people back to the businesses on our high streets. Through Shopappy, local independent businesses will be able to promote their goods and services, sell online, and even encourage people to click and collect.”