Businesses reopening in Scarborough 'essential for economy'
Businesses in Scarborough are preparing to re-open from next week as the next step out of the lockdown roadmap begins on Monday.
Businesses in Scarborough are preparing to re-open from next week.
It is as the next step of the roadmap out of lockdown starts from Monday.
It will see non-essential shops welcoming customers back.
Janet Jefferson, President of Scarborough Chamber of Trade, said:
"I think it's very, very essential and it'll also bring more people into the town in a safe way. People will be desperate to maybe have their hair done, their beauty, buy shoes, clothing and the non-essentials that they've not been able to buy, so I think it could have a quick knock-on effect on the economy.
"We've got the usual face, hands and space and I think that's important. We have an awful lot of independent stores who have limited areas within them, so they have to carry on with their risk assessments and people will be limited in numbers still to go into some of these stores.
"A lot of the shops that have closed were part of the Arcadia Group or ancillary to that but on the whole, it's good to see some of the signs are now saying 'let' or 'offers made' and it is noticeable that there is an uplift of people wanting to have units, especially within the lower end of the town.
"There has been some excellent grants available and not everybody has benefitted from the grants, but I think a lot of the independent businesses have as it's helped them to stay there. But of course a lot of people do own their own businesses when they're individuals and some are subjected to high rents but we've all had a rate relief which is good.
"I think a lot of businesses have had confidence to order new stocks and fill their shops because obviously we're starting a new season now, and often we're all depicted by what the stock is of the season, so it's given them the confidence to move forward and buy extra things in and get their windows decorated."