Time to revive the fortunes of our high streets

Retailers have been making careful preparations to welcome back shoppers within safe guidelines and local residents are being urged to shop local and support these loyal traders who are the “backbone” or our town.

North Kesteven District Council Leader Coun Richard Wright said: “The reopening of non-essential shops is very welcome news for those businesses and the communities which rely on them.

“There is much work that retail businesses will need to do in order to be ready, and our teams are on hand to provide guidance and answer any questions.

“In addition, we’ve produced a pack of ready-made posters for businesses to display, clearly stating queuing directions, social distancing reminders and health messages, to help them as they prepare to reopen.”

Visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/business. He urged customers to give businesses time to adjust, following signage and instructions.

“By doing this we can play our part in making the next steps of recovery possible including the return of our restaurants, pubs, hotels and other much-missed service industries,” said Coun Wright.

MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham Dr Caroline Johnson added: “Our local businesses play a huge role in the community and they have been hit hard by the coronavirus. The Government has provided a huge amount of financial support to the business sector in Lincolnshire, including £279m in business grants and £130m in rates relief, but now it’s down to all of us to support our local businesses and help them get back up and running.”

Local authorities are offering technical guidance to businesses and installing social distancing information signage to ensure high streets can trade safely whilst remaining welcoming. NKDC is exploring temporary physical adjustments, such as increasing width of pavements and introducing temporary cycle paths.

NKDC also has a £1million discretionary fund for small and micro businesses which did not qualify previously for grant help.

Heather Johnson, owner of furniture shop Feather and Stone in White Hart Mews, said: “We have implemented some simple changes without hopefully compromising our normal friendly personal service.” 

She said NKDC’s business team are positively championing small businesses to encourage a safe return to shopping streets. 

Sleaford market has fully reopened and has seen trio of independent businesses WiseGuys, WiseGirls and Dees Gifts getting ahead of the game by taking up temporary pitches for two weeks ahead of reopening on June 15.

Samantha John from WiseGirls said: “We wanted to support the local market, many of our customers don’t shop online. We have a lot of stock in store to offload and we still have bills to pay.”

Wendy Hanslip of Bellissimo Boutique in the Market Place said: “We can’t wait to start supporting and meeting our customers again.

“Throughout the lockdown period, small and local traders at all levels have been the backbone of the community and we hope that the community now responds by supporting the small businesses which are the lifeblood and heartbeat of Sleaford.”

NKDC Economy and Place Director Andrew McDonough said the many unique and independent businesses have adapted quickly: “We have absolute faith in our local economy and will be doing all we can to support its recovery.”