Optimism in Hockley over lockdown end
BUSINESSES in Hockley are looking forward to the end of lockdown.
More than a month before hospitality venues and non-essential businesses could potentially reopen under the Government’s “roadmap”, April 12 is providing some optimism in the city area, where hopes are up for a spike in footfall as food and drink venues may be able to offer outdoor seating.
Steven Chapman, manager at Kigali Coffee in Stoney Street, said business was currently “sporadic” and was largely dependent on the weather.
The shop has been open for takeaway trade for a few weeks, after closing in January.
Steven said: “After reopening in August, the business closed in January for around six weeks. Footfall was down and cases were high so it was more of an ethical decision.
“Then as cases started coming down, and vaccines increasing, footfall has also gone up and it felt more comfortable to open.
“But it is sporadic – if it’s nice weather, you can almost get precovid numbers.
“People like to come out for a walk, and obviously see how far they can go.”
On April 12, Steven said: “Theoretically, it should be fantastic.
“But in Hockley, it came down to a council decision last time to allow more outdoor seating last year, so it depends how they approach it this time.
“It would be nice to have people outside again though – I sort of question why when transmission is so low outside, we couldn’t have had it earlier.”
Speaking about the eventual full lift of lockdown restrictions pencilled in for June 21, he added: “It’s looking as though everyone will have been offered the vaccine by July but my only worry is, is opening all retail and hospitality on the same day a good idea? There’s a lot of pent-up frustration and it could be overwhelming.”
Tracey Simcoe, assistant at Flavour of Hockley, said “business has been ticking over” thanks to builders and office workers.
“People are still popping in and in the last few days, it has really picked up,” she said.
“It’s been weird to see Hockley so quiet and it will be great when we can have the tables out again. That’s really what we’re gearing up to now.
“I do feel a lot more optimistic about the future with the vaccine, and I can’t wait for all of Hockley’s businesses to return – many are well established and haven’t been around for a while. If everyone keeps to the guidance, hopefully all will be well.”
Benjamin Rose, owner of The Angel Microbrewery, said work had continued on a fundraiser to keep the business afloat after the impact of the pandemic.
“We’re launching a ‘sponsor a seat’ so people can get a plaque on a spot in the pub – the star prize being an old church pew.
“We’re still doing a lot of stuff focused on the fundraiser.
“But we’re also brewing at the moment to get prepared and it’s been a good time to work on new recipes.
“There’s new artwork going into the pub from Kid30 so we’ve actually been really busy – I think if I wasn’t doing this I’d go stir crazy.”
Benjamin added: “When that day comes for Hockley to reopen, it’ll be great.
“I’m just trying to stay positive but obviously there is a heightened feeling of financial worry – you can’t shake that. It’s positive to hear in the Budget the decisions on grants and furlough – but businesses have lost so much. I do feel we are more prepared this time round though. We know what we’re going into, we’ve found our footing and I’m looking forward to it.
“I think the Government maybe needs to outline more detail on actual reopenings. But the steps make sense, with outdoor seating first and so on.
“I am also a little apprehensive about vaccine passports – it seems Government are looking to get a public reaction first but I just hope it doesn’t then get put on to pub owners. We’ve been there before with masks, and track and trace and it just puts so much stress on staff.”