Help save our High Street firms

Many shops, restaurants and small independent businesses have tried to re-invent themselves by offering click and collect services or free delivery during the coronavirus emergency while others have been forced to shut completely.

Now, as restrictions are eased and firms are tentatively trying to get back to normal, the Wiltshire Times is asking readers to buy local to give businesses a much-needed boost.

Today, the Wiltshire Times is calling on its readers to back local companies that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

Our new campaign aims to help as many businesses as possible, whether they’re pubs or plumbers, cafes or car mechanics.

We would like to hear from local businesses about what they do and how they’ve been dealing with this unprecedented crisis.

And we need you – our readers – to show your support and give them your custom to ensure they can survive until the lockdown lifts.

Business experts from the area have emphasised the importance of shopping locally during these difficult times.

Wiltshire Times editor Pete Gavan said: “Our local businesses are the lifeblood of the community and few will have escaped the devastating effects of the pandemic.

“So we’re doing our bit to shine a light on how they’ve adapted and how you can help them thrive.”

Ian Larrard, director of Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative at Business West, said: “Despite extensive government support, our research shows that only 55 per cent of businesses believe they can continue to trade if the lockdown lasts longer than three months.This figure drops to 16 per cent if the lockdown is to last six months or more.“Such is the existential threat that businesses are facing right now, we must - as buyers and consumers – continue to back local businesses as far as is possible as lockdown measures are eased.“Small business is the backbone of Wiltshire’s economy and plays a vital role in providing jobs, supporting families and contributing to the character of place.

“Although times are tough for many right now, we can help to keep the county’s economy alive by choosing to spend with small and local independent businesses.”

Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie, the mayor of Bradford on Avon, said: “One of the successes of the pandemic is the way in which many of our local businesses adapted so quickly to the circumstances.

“Some provided takeaways or started up home deliveries, while others implemented social distancing measures so that we could continue to shop as safely as possible.

"Here in Bradford on Avon we are working together on specific measures to help our own local businesses and, as more and more of them get ‘Back to Business’, I hope that we will repay their efforts by supporting them in turn. Let’s love local.”

Cllr Peter Fuller, mayor of Trowbridge, said:“I welcome the news that our town centres are being allowed to slowly come back to life. It is not easy in normal times to run a business and without customers it is impossible.

"Thankfully our communities are working together to see us through this crisis and that includes the staff of stores, both big and small, who ensure that we have the necessities of life.

“I hope that we will all make a particular effort, as we ease out of lockdown, to support our local businesses as they open up and help them to grow as they bring life back into our towns. With your support they can. Do you really need to buy online?”

Cllr Chris Robbins, the mayor of Warminster, who runs a local butcher's shop in the Market Place, said: “I am really pleased that this campaign is being launched, it is absolutely needed.

“Local businesses have had a very tough time and it is vital that we give them the support they need. Shopping locally and using local firms will be crucial in maintaining the vitality of our towns and villages.”

Cllr Mike Sutton, the mayor of Westbury, said: “I am sure that everyone is pleased to hear that non-essential retail will now be permitted to open on June 15 and resume business whilst of course observing the necessary social distancing and here in Westbury we are no exception.

“The community have supported each other and the vulnerable magnificently during the lockdown I would hope that that sense of community is extended to our local businesses when they resume trading.We are not sure what the public response will be when shops re-open but the vitality of any town depends on the shops and business within it.

"I would urge everyone to shop locally whenever possible and support their local community shops as much as they supported each other in the lockdown.”

Small businesses make up the backbone of our market towns and communities across Wiltshire and right now many of them will be facing a very uncertain future.

The Federation of Small Businesses conducted a national survey of more than 5,000 businesses and found that of those that had to close during the coronavirus crisis 35 per cent fear they will never open again.

Iain Wallis, the FSB's South West policy lead, said: “If we think about what that might look like on the ground a town like Devizes could lose over 80 town centre businesses which would have a devastating impact on the town from which it may never recover.

“It’s also not just about business owners, the same survey found that a third of employers are considering making redundancies in order for the business to survive.

“Small businesses employ around 60 per cent of the work force so a combination of companies closing and others laying people off could result in significant unemployment across our community.

“I believe that we should be looking at small companies as individual members of our community rather than corporate businesses.

“Small business owners usually have incomes far closer to those of their employees and in many cases have sacrificed that income to keep the business going.

“These are not people with private islands or significant financial reserves and many will be looking at an uncertain future with their business now worth far less than it was and selling up or retiring comfortably a far more distant prospect.

“Like any other member of our community now is the time to support our small businesses, just as we have supported each other through the last few months, and that support will be vital if we stand any chance of a successful recovery.

“The Government support has been vital to keep many businesses going but to come out the other side it's community support which is most important.”