TRADERS in Marlborough say they’re seeing green shoots of recovery but are calling on the community to support them.

They fear the town could be hit after a number of chains announced they would not be reopening, including the flagship Rick Stein restaurant.

They are reeling with the shock closure news, which comes on the heels of Monsoon and Cath Kidston pulling out.

Other national chains have yet to confirm whether they will reopen in the town.

Local businesses are saying it could have a considerable knock-on effect as rents and leases come up for sale.

“No-one is going to buy into the hospitality business at the moment are they?” said Jason Kalen, owner of The Marlborough pub.

“Rick Stein will have been paying at least £120,000 in rent, plus about £70,000 in rates. And with distancing restrictions, we could be looking at 30 per cent rather than a 70 per cent of covers, which is where it needs to be to run a business. I know of two or three other big chains in the High Street which are likely to pull out.

“We have kept going though. Our takeaways have been very successful and I think it will be down to the independents in the town to keep it alive, but we need support.”

Despite the Rick Stein news, traders and the Town Council are backing the Gazette’s call to back local business as they recover from the Covid lockdown, saying the first week of trade has been positive.

Rebecca Davies, manager of Framemakers said the local community had been very supportive.

“We have had a good first week but so shocked by the news that Rick Stein won’t be opening again. It is devastating news for the town. Working opposite it I could see how busy it was at lunchtime. We would get a lot of businesses from people lunching there and it will really affect Marlborough.”

Kim Dudley of Kim Vine boutique has been in the town 16 years.

She reported good trading after a very testing lockdown period. “People have been glad to see us open and get some normality back to the High Street. But many are still not open.

“Rick Stein put Marlborough on the map. It brought a lot of people here and it is very sad for the town. It is very disappointing they have decided to close. Hundreds of people travelled long distances to come to the restaurant and when they were here they would come shopping here.”

The town council is in talks with Wiltshire Council about funding available to widen pavements but there are concerns over a loss of parking spaces.

Kate and Tom Nichols are Marlborough residents.

“We were in Marlborough and there was no social distancing at all,” said Kate.

“It was lovely to see people out but it was so busy it made me quite anxious. It is great to get businesses going again. I will come and order a coffee but I probably won’t sit down.

“It is fascinating that everywhere else in life such as in schools - there are rigid one way systems - but not on the pavement,” said Tom. “ How can you pass people? Why don’t they put a one way system on the pavements?”