Bridlington businesses optimistic about future post-lockdown
A Bridlington business owner says he is optimistic about the future post-lockdown.
A Bridlington business owner says he is optimistic about the future post-lockdown.
Martyn Coltman has been giving his thoughts on the tougher restrictions.
Before the third lockdown, the town was put into Tier 3 when the system was introduced.
Martyn, who is also one of the Rolling Chairs of the Bridlington Regeneration Partnership, said:
"To be positive, it's been remarkably positive. I run the Art Gallery in the Old Town and for the months that we were able to open, we re-opened in mid-June, we had our best ever year in the six years we've been there, as have most of the businesses in the Old Town.
"There are actually no empty shops in the Old Town which is a really unusual position for us to be in, it's on a very good roll at the moment. For Bridlington town centre, what's very encouraging is a number of large retail and commercial properties being bought up.
"Because the vaccine is now being rolled out, we see the future as very, very positive. Last summer, we had a great staycation boom and it was difficult having to close again in November but again in December, we had a very good month and we're really looking forward to at least getting to Easter.
"The specialist shops and the independents are really beginning to come into the forefront and through my gallery and the people who I speak to who are in business, we've had an awful lot of people wanting to support local business and independence, and they've physically been saying that when they've been buying things in the shops and galleries.
"We're all pinning our hopes on a really good Easter this year, which is perfectly possible if we can knuckle down in this lockdown. There's no reason to think that Easter will not be anything other than a really big time this year. I'm sure all the businesses will pull out all the stops right down the Yorkshire Coast and I'm sure we're all excited for the coming season.
"The Gallery would certainly have closed permanently had we not had the support from the Chancellor. I know that several other businesses have said exactly the same really. So it's been a difficult time and obviously we know some businesses will be lost and that's very sad but I think without that support, there would have been a lot more business losses.
"We're just really looking forward to a great season for the whole of the Yorkshire Coast. This area's finally on the tourist map and I think we're all very optimistic. We just want to get through the next particularly bad couple of months and get people out and get some normality and I'm sure psychologically, people will feel so much better and they'll want to visit the coast and spend money."