The lost season?
Shops are set to reopen as lockdown eases, but town’s tourism businesses face a bleak future
There are tough times ahead for Scarborough’s tourism trade, even if some businesses are allowed to re-open.
That is the warning from traders and hospitality bosses ahead of lockdown rules being relaxed.
Chairman of the South Bay Traders Association, John Senior, says there are plenty of hurdles for shops, cafes and restaurants still to overcome once they are given the green light to open again.
“Closing was simple,” he said. “Re-opening is the difficult bit.”
He described the first three months of the season – with many traders forced to shut completely – as “devastating” to the town’s tourist trade.
He added there will be further difficulties to come over the next three months as business owners navigate life after lockdown.
If the Government goes ahead with allowing more shops to re-open from June 15, he fears it may withdraw the financial support it has been offering.
And in order to cover rates, rents and staffing costs, he said most businesses need to be operating at 50 or 60 per cent capacity – but that may not be possible for some now they will have to meet social distancing measures.
Traders may also be faced with customers reluctant to return to the town, with many wary about travelling and going out.
Mr Senior said he will be working with Scarborough Borough Council to help traders meet the challenges they are facing.
MP for Scarborough Robert Goodwill shared Mr Senior’s concerns about it being financially viable for some businesses to operate within the restrictions they will face.
He said there are traders across the area who have come up with innovative ways to continue business despite the pandemic.
But he said he is “under no illusion” that this has not been possible for many.
As long as they can show they are meeting social distancing guidelines, nonessential retail premises will be allowed to open from June 15.
The Government has also outlined plans for some parts of the hospitality industry to be allowed to re-open in July.
Vice-President of Scarborough Hospitality Association Lynn Jackson thinks that is unlikely to apply to much of Scarborough’s holiday accommodation.
“The first ones opening will be self-catering and caravans,” she said.
“Although some places may be able to open in July, for some it may be August or September, and some may not be able to open at all this season.
“There’s lots of despair among our businesses.
“It’s been beautiful weather – Scarborough should be full and we should have had a great start to the season.
“We’re desperate to be open. We’ve got people ringing up, asking when they can come.”