Bourton businesses look to future after challenging year
jessica.mercer@reachplc.com
NORMALLY the streets of Bourton-on-the-water are teeming with tourists all year round, with visitors from around the globe flocking to the bridges over the River Windrush.
But this autumn the streets have been empty and the coffee shops closed, as the second national lockdown brought the country to a standstill again.
Normally more than 38 million visitors a year head to the area but 2020 has been a year like no other.
Coffee shop owners, butchers and deli owners have said villages such as Moreton-in-marsh have been left as a “ghost town” since the second lockdown commenced and spoke about how they have coped during a dry season for the tourist hotspot.
Coffee shops in the area are closed except for takeaway and are feeling the pinch.
Sue Earls, who runs Martha’s Coffee in Moreton-in-marsh, said: “It really changed in the second lockdown.
“In the summer we had a lot of people on staycations, but since October we’ve seen a lot of people are down, probably due to the weather and the dark nights.
“Even though its a wealthy area, we’re seeing a lot of shops closing.”
Janice Edmonds, who works at Victoria Coffee, said: “Winter has definitely meant less customers.
“Hopefully when things open again we’ll see more people come in.”
Other businesses that usually see a stream of customers have noticed a big dip in footfall.
“It’s been very strange” said Mick Havard, owner of R+D Walker butchers. “It’s for safety obviously, but you really notice it.
“The town is normally buzzing and we’re not used to this kind of quiet.”
He added that business seemed to “pick up” in August and September, but since then has seen it drop once more.
“We’re looking forward to things opening up again” he added.
Bakery on the Water, the coffee shop and bakery that sits beside the River Windrush in Bourton on the Water, said that they have been “lucky”.
“We’re always busy with locals and tourists, even now” said manager Lou Kimton-smith.
“I think we’re an anomaly in that way.
“I have seen the community really band together during this lockdown, which is so great to see.”
Andrew Lund-yates, owner of the Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water, said the business is struggling due to the lack of footfall in the village and says comparing it to visitor numbers this time last year doesn’t bear thinking about.
“I don’t like looking at last year’s numbers” he said. “It’s too depressing!”
He added that he hopes Christmas will spell a return of visitors and tourists for a few weeks.
Cotswolds District Councillor Tony Dale, cabinet member for the economy for the local authority, said: “We are doing everything possible to support small businesses here in the Cotswolds.
“We are currently in the process of administering the Government’s Business Support Grants and these grant schemes are a lifeline, helping keep businesses afloat and returning money back into our local economy.
“We are committed to helping our district recover as quickly as possible and we will continue to support businesses through the current situation and beyond.
“I would like to encourage all our residents to shop locally and support Cotswold businesses.”
I would like to encourage all our residents to shop locally and support Cotswold businesses
Councillor Tony Dale