The UK high streets recorded the highest levels of empty shops in the last six years amidst a coronavirus lockdown. Retail analysis from Springboard highlighted that nearly 11% of shops and businesses remained vacant in July compared with 9.8% in January. Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn budget, some high street businesses express their gratitude to the Government for extending a lifeline during the lockdown months and are optimistic that their business would pick-up as employees trickle “back to work” especially at a time when high streets are mostly empty and city centres look like a ghost town
Peter Joseph has the expertise of running Michelin Star restaurants in London for over a decade now. Previously heading prestigious restaurants like the Tamarind of Mayfair, in 2018 Peter decided to share the ‘Kahani’ (story) of his culinary skills by opening his Michelin-star restaurant in Chelsea, Belgravia.
Kahani’s Eat Out to Help Out Kahani
“We had to close down our restaurant in March in line with the Government’s coronavirus guidelines until July. Those were difficult months for most restaurants in Central London. We decided to give a spin to our ‘Kahani’ and give our cooking experience to our customers at the comfort of their homes. So, we started expanding our private dining, home cooking and takeaway options. And some of my customers were keen to learn some culinary skills, so I help teach them marinating and garnishing techniques.
“The Chancellor’s Eat Out to Help Out has been a massive support and as we continue to receive more bookings, we are continuing with the scheme right through September without the Government’s help. The scheme changed people’s perception and with the festive season approaching, we are optimistic that greater number of people will be longing to share their lockdown kahanis while at dinner at our restaurant.”
High street souvenir shops, pubs and restaurants in Central London particularly around London’s Soho and Oxford Street areas depend heavily on tourist influx. The tourism industry has slowly started picking up with airlines operating on nearly 50% occupancy levels.
“A few years ago, people were so scared of SARS and we are optimistic that by next year we will have a solution for coronavirus as well. And while, we are missing out on the experience of tourists, we are greatly supported by our local residents. Yes, business has been difficult but we are surviving.”
155 drinks in a month for £20
Round the corner café houses and restaurant chains also bank on the “Lunch hour” rush as most employees start their mornings with their go-to coffees and bagged up meals from their regular deli. Yet, looming fears of a second wave of coronavirus has meant that Central London remains a ghost town. In a bid to revive the collapsing economy, the government is now urging people to go back to work. Enthused with this initiative, some café chains have introduced unique schemes including coffee chain Pret A Manger. On 4th September, in an effort to boost its sales, Pret announced to offer customers up to five coffees a day if they sign up to a monthly subscription service for £20 only. With their ‘YourPret’ Barista one can enjoy a maximum of 155 drinks including all coffees, teas, frappes and hot chocolates for £20 in a month with the first month being free.
Beauty industry gears up ahead of Diwali and Christmas
Businesses across industries are coming up with similar initiatives to amplify their business. Lockdown restrictions had meant people were also deprived of grooming their hair and following their routine skin treatment procedures. Considering the close proximity and interface with the customers, the government had ensured a stricter and a longer lockdown phase for beauty clinics and hair salons across the country. But Kinnari’s, a hairdresser located near Norbury Station in Streatham is optimistic of picking up business after lockdown restrictions have been lifted. A spokesperson said,
“In March when we temporarily closed our salon in line with the government’s coronavirus guidelines, we were very concerned about keeping our business alive. Every year during Eid we are usually fully booked as many Muslim women make prior reservations and visit us for a range of beauty treatments from hair-dressing and styling to facial enhancements. This year we were closed due to coronavirus.
“We are extremely thankful to Chancellor Rishi Sunak for we were able to apply and qualify for the Small Business Grant scheme which has ensured that we remain in business. Old women particularly loved visiting our salon for the personal experience and time that we gave them ensuring that there was community bonding. But old people are still required to shield and thus, we have seen a drop in the number of customers visiting us. Hence, in the run-up to Diwali and Christmas we have planned for various discounted packages and offers so that people can still get that experience whilst ensuring that their safety is in place.”
600 books published a 24% book bumper
In the meantime, bookshops and pubs have also reported a drop in their business with the “game season” and football lingering to a slow. On the flip side however, lockdown encouraged more people to delve into books and forgotten habits of reading, writing gardening and cooking. According to trade journal The Bookseller, there is a 24% rise on the number of books published since the start of September last year with 600 books being published on Thursday 10th September.
Vivian Archer Managet, Newham Bookshop said, “Footfall is still a little slow, but we are finding that customers are making special efforts to come to the shop now. They are so pleased that we were supplying books to them during lockdown with our volunteer cyclists. There is a real feeling that independent businesses have to be supported, and not go the easy option i.e. Amazon. We were also able to support local community charities by fundraising. A customer gave us £1000 last week to provide books for children in need. I think it is very difficult to say how things will go at present, people coming to the shop are very respectful of the measures we have taken to keep them and our staff safe. It is the events that we held that have been hardest hit.”
With children staying at home throughout the summer, working parents have had to ensure that they keep them occupied one way or another especially when restrictions to social gatherings can impact their mental and emotional well-being. Yet, as parents struggle to manage children’s study-play balance with an eye on their digital consumption, there hasn’t been much activity for toyshops on the high-street either.
Bhav Patel, Managing Director of Toy Galaxy Ltd. said, “Since re-opening from Lockdown, it is fair to say the high street has struggled to draw in the same level of customers we had prior to closing. Those that managed to see through the lockdown period have now a completely different issue to deal with which is of course; staying open. The one positive we have found is that average basket values are higher, so people are spending money, there just aren’t enough customers to help businesses reach for like targets. For us, to ensure we can ride this storm we have a few rules we religiously are sticking by. Managing and reducing our running costs, reducing stock holding, buying little but often and of course focusing on offers and promotions so the end customer is saving money walking into your store.”
