Businesses in Camborne adapt to survive second lockdown
The town's BID is urging people to continue to support local businesses throughout the month.
We may be entering the second lockdown but that’s no reason not to support local shops and businesses in Cornwall.
That’s the message from Camborne as the country once again enters into lockdown in a bid to suppress the coronavirus pandemic.
Forced to put up their closed signs, local business owners are adapting by promoting their products on websites and social media, organising click and collect and providing a local delivery service.
“It’s a case of making the best of things. I’ll be offering a takeaway and delivery service from Thursday and many others are being similarly creative to help keep trade going.
“We’re lucky that Camborne has a very close community that believes in pulling together and providing mutual support.
"There’s no doubt that this second lockdown couldn’t have happened at a worst time for retailers with Christmas on the very near horizon but we’re doing what we can to get through and keep going.”
Sharron Lipscombe-Manley, owner of Delight 2 Bite and Chair of BID Camborne.
The BID team is helping as much as possible by promoting their members new ways of working on social media, keeping them informed about guidelines and the financial resources available via e-newsletters and printed material and exploring the possibility of expanding the town’s street warden provision.
They are also going ahead with this year’s Christmas lights and planning a virtual switch-on.
“I think it’s fair to say that the news of this second lockdown came as quite a shock but there’s a real willingness to adapt and try and overcome the obvious commercial challenges.
“I’ve lived in the town all my life and know how strong people here can be when faced with adversity. Camborne has long been known for world-beating innovation and we’re doing our best to harness some of that remarkable entrepreneurial spirit now.”
Anna Pascoe, Manager, BID Camborne
Anna is also chair of the Camborne Town Deal board which is bidding for £25m of funding through the Government’s Town Deal initiative. Having just been awarded £750,000 to kickstart improvement projects, there is positivity on that front too.
“We’ve now started assessing applications through our Project A-Void scheme that has grants of up to £5000 available to businesses making capital improvements to their premises.
“It’s an exciting opportunity and we’re delighted to be announcing the first beneficiaries shortly.”
Anna Pascoe
For more information about what shops, cafes and other businesses in Camborne are doing from Thursday, visit www.cambornetown.com and @cambornetown on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Project A-Void grants are being made on a first come, first served basis and for a limited time only. Click here to apply.