Eager return as shops open
Non-essential business 'raring to go’ after the second lockdown finishes
SHOPKEEPERS have called on Portsmouth residents to come out and support the high street as the second lockdown comes to an end.
Non-essential businesses, such as charity shops, hairdressers and even Christmas stores, were finally allowed to reopen in Commercial Road and the city centre after the month-long closure.
Fortunately, the winter cold did not keep eager customers away yesterday morning.
Regulars came armed with fold-up chairs so they could line up outside Celly’s Hairstyle International before it opened.
Mother and daughter pairing Kerice Down, 61, and Amy Down, 38, had been waiting since 8am.
Kerice said: ‘I’ve been waiting since about 8 o’clock, I usually come every week except the last 4.
‘I was in line waiting for them to reopen at the end of the first lockdown as well.’
Daughter Amy added: ‘I usually get it cut every six weeks, but I wanted to come down and support them before Christmas.’
At the British Heart Foundation shop in Arundel Street, an in-demand sofa saw two shoppers champing at the bit.
Clare Kelly, 47, and Jacqueline Walton, 55, were camped out at the door since before sunrise.
Jacqueline said: ‘We are all waiting for the same grey sofa, but she (Clare) has just pipped me to the post.’
Clare, who arrived at 7.15am, added: ‘I spotted the grey sofa on the very first day of lockdown’.
It was a busy start to the morning in the Cascades shopping centre for Sonner Toys.
Ellie Silver, 20, whose uncle owns the store, said: ‘We have had a few of our regulars in this morning already, it’s been great to see everyone.
‘It is definitely good to be back, it beats being sat at home.
‘I came in this morning and half the stuff was brand new so I’m still getting to grips with it all.
‘I’m hoping that Christmas will be good for business. Lockdown has not been easy for any business.’
For Keiley McCowen, 49, and her husband, Christmas came early as the ending of lockdown meant they could open their seasonal themed store in the shopping centre for the 10th year in a row.
She explained: ‘I’m very excited to be back. We kind of thought there was a possibility of a lockdown but we decided to go ahead with it because we’ve always been here.
‘I always thought we would reopen because you need Christmas.
‘It has been really busy, people are raring to go.’
Her message to the residents of Portsmouth was: ‘Come out and support not just us but all the shopkeepers on the high street.’
Back in Arundel Street there was a sense of relief at Mini Amsterdam, which had only just opened on October 1 before being forced to shut again a few weeks later.
Niazullah Nafullah, 37, said: ‘I am excited to be back at work of course. The lockdown was no good. ‘I did a little bit of exercise and spent time with family.’
I’m hoping that Christmas will be good for business. Lockdown has not been Ellie Silver
AS NON-ESSENTIAL shops reopen after the national lockdown, traders and shoppers in Havant are calling for more ‘niche’ businesses if the high street is to survive.
It comes as non-essential shops reopen after being shut
for four weeks to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The virus and measures to control it has proved to be a shock to high street firms across the country – and now shoppers and business owners in Havant feel change is needed.
Chris Hitching of CJ Meats in West Street has been serving food throughout the lockdown and has seen no change in trade as it comes to an end.
The 56-year-old said: ‘My reflection on the high street is that Covid-19 has just brought forward a lot of closures by five years.
‘The way the high street will survive is by having more niche, chic businesses.
‘People love the concept of using independent shops – but they don’t want to pay too much.
‘You cannot build a business by selling treats.
‘We have been here for 25 years and have a hardcore, loyal customer base. We can afford to be flexible.’
Shopper Rebecca Warwick said: ‘I haven’t been here for a long time – at least a couple of years. I tried to do a lot of online shopping.
‘I did make a conscious decision to get a cup of tea from Boswells Cafe rather than Costa – it feels more like an independent.
Another shopper said the high street had a future if it had help: ‘I like to go shopping and have a look around – but the shops need more help. But will they get it? That’s not so clear.’