Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Fear extending restrictions could see more shops close
Phil Ritson, who runs Canterbury Hi-fi, says there is no doubt he will lose sales
Businesses just back on their feet after the first enforced closure now face another blow to their survival.
Shops deemed ‘nonessential’ as well as hair and beauty salons and gyms must all close as part of the lockdown. The decision to shut gyms has been branded “bonkers” by Charlie Turner, who is sales manager at Energie Fitness in St George’s Place, Canterbury. “Frankly, we and our members are devastated by it,” he said. “Gyms are places where people can keep fit, which we are told is vital to fight off Covid.
“The exercise is also very good for mental health, which is also important at this time. It just seems bonkers to me.
“We have gone to huge lengths and cost to make our environment Covidsafe. I think of all the dozens of gyms and tens of thousands of members we have throughout the country, there has only been a couple of confirmed cases.”
Mr Turner says that with the weather turning more inclement as winter approaches, opportunities to exercise outside can become limited.
“It is traditionally a busier time for us and people feel safe coming here, “he added. Barber Hama Husseini invested almost £100,000 in setting up his new hair salon in Canterbury, only to find the business shut down a few months later in the first lockdown. He runs the No 1 Unisex salon, which as of today will be shut for at least a month.
“I’m very disappointed because we operate very strict health procedures here to keep us and our clients safe,” he said.
“Hairdressers are normally very busy at this time of year so we are going to lose a lot of revenue but still have bills to pay, although the government grant and furlough will help.
“I just worry that the lockdown will go beyond four weeks, because I can see it hitting many small businesses hard and there being a lot of empty shops.” Canterbury Waterstones manager Martin Latham describes the lockdown as a “massive gut-punch” for businesses.
But he hopes the impact will not be as great this time round because the shop is operating a clickand-collect service, with people ordering books and gifts online.
“We are feeling a lot of love for book stores these days so I am hopeful it will be better,” he said. “I actually think Christmas shopping doesn’t really get going until the start of December so there’s still time for it to go mental.”
Phil Ritson, who runs the long-established Canterbury Hi-fi, says he saw another lockdown coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier to take. He is also fearful the restrictions will be extended even further, damaging the business’s profitability.
“We will still be at the end of the phone and online for our customers, but there’s no doubt we will lose sales.
“It’s the online-only businesses that will take advantage and I think the time has come for the government to consider some sort of internet sales tax, otherwise there will be so few shops left in the city centre.”
Yan Cowley, who runs the Canterbury Camera Centre, is pragmatic about the lockdown. “Given the infection rate and growing cases, I guess it was inevitable that something would have to happen, “he said.
“We were half expecting it because the scientific evidence seems overwhelming. “Obviously, the build up to Christmas is a busier time but we will use the shutdown to improve our website while still being on the end of the phone for customers.” Whitefriars manager Mark Stuart says the latest lockdown will undoubtedly hurt the centre’s retailers, but believes they are better prepared for it second time round. “Absolutely, it’s dire for them,” he said, “especially new stores like Skechers, which only opened last week.
“But I think many were expecting it and will use the experience of the first lockdown to get through. “Essential shops like Boots, Tesco and Marks and Spencer food hall will remain open and I believe some others are planning a click-and-collect service. “Although we expect footfall to be modest, we will be reintroducing the one-way system and will keep the Marlowe Arcade open.”