West Norfolk business wants local authorities to prioritise boosting customer confidence and footfall
It comes as inflation hits it's highest level in 30 years, Covid infections remain rife and the reduced rate of VAT ended at the start of the month
A West Norfolk business is calling on local authorities to prioritise boosting customer confidence and footfall, this spring.
It comes as inflation hits it's highest level in 30 years, Covid infections remain rife and the reduced rate of VAT ended at the start of the month.
Nina Narramore is the owner of the Norfolk Cheese Company in Downham Market.
She told us the high-street desperately needs rejuvenating: "The high-street especially in Downham Market is struggling with footfall. We need more people to come into the town and a reason for them to come. It's got so much going for it, but we as a business need that extra incentive for people to come through the door.
"At the moment, everything is so upside down and there's so much uncertainty. It's all about regaining customer confidence, so they realise that they can still pay the bills and have money left over for the odd luxury item or two".
"It's a rollercoaster really"
She went on to say the continued rising cost of living, means they need all the help they can get: "Cheese has gone up, everything has going up and we're constantly keeping an eye on our prices and we're passing that all over to the customers. It's always a concern, we've cut back staff hours slightly, so I'm working more hours so I'm not paying out as much in staff wages. So, I'm trying to make tweaks here and there without it affecting my business too much- it's a rollercoaster really".
She concluded by admitting that rising taxes and prices are likely to hit them doubly hard in the near future: "It all effects people coming through the door, so if it doesn't even affect me directly then it will do at some point because people coming through the door haven't got money in their pocket to spend on what we call luxury items and that's what we sell. We're not an everyday shop, we are artisan food shop- so it's a treat for most people".