Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 18th June print edition.
After almost three months of lockdown, non-essential shops in Burton and Uttoxeter opened their doors to customers again on Monday 15th June. Our way of life has changed for the foreseeable future and this is reflected in the new measures in place on our High Streets. From trying on clothes to paying for goods, retail will be very different until we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whilst the lengthy queues outside some stores on Monday suggests that many people feel confident returning to our High Streets, there will also be those who are more cautious. The strict new measures that stores have put in place, such as social distancing, one-way systems, and additional hygiene measures to include more frequent store cleaning and hand sanitisers available for customers to make shopping safe as possible, should give customers confidence to return to our high streets. These measures have been successfully introduced in supermarkets to enable them to stay open throughout lockdown and mean that we can get the balance right between opening up the economy and ensuring the safety of customers and retail staff.
Here in Burton and Uttoxeter, and across the country, we have seen businesses adapt to offer their customers delivery services thereby keeping their customers loyalty whilst enabling their businesses to survive these difficult times. Whilst online shopping has been a lifeline for many over the last few weeks, the survival of many businesses depends on footfall on the Hight Street and there is the very real concern that consumer spending might not return to pre-COVID-19 levels any time soon. I am pleased to be supporting the Burton Mail’s #IAmOpen campaign which helps businesses let shoppers know that they are open for business and also COVID-19 secure.
In Burton Town Centre, the work on Station Street has continued throughout lockdown, with work prioritised around shop fronts to minimise the disruption. This is the first phase of a longer-term plan for the regeneration of the town centre. The works are currently on schedule and should be completed by October which will improve the shopping experience for all those who visit Burton.
It certainly won’t be business as usual for some time yet but right now it is more important than ever that, where possible, we shop locally and support businesses here in Burton and Uttoxeter for the long-term benefit of both retailers and consumers.
