Unlocking Melksham! Local businesses react to the ‘roadmap’ to lift lockdown

LOCAL businesses have been reacting to the news about the Government’s “roadmap” to remove lockdown restrictions in England.

Last week the Government announced that from no earlier than 12th April, businesses such as shops, hairdressers, and beauty salons will be allowed to welcome back customers indoors while pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve people outdoors.

The news has been welcomed by some of Melksham’s businesses, who have described their relief at reopening and their hope for another “resurgence” as customers return to the town centre.

But for the pub and restaurant sector, news of the Government’s “roadmap” has been tentatively welcomed, with concerns raised about how restricting service to outdoors until mid-May could impact revenue.

From the Somerset Arms, Semington, landlord John Adams has explained that as outdoor seating is weather dependent, it makes it difficult to plan staff and stock levels.

“People aren’t going to come out in the evening for a meal as it will be colder,” explained Jon, “so it will mainly be drinks and snacks. So the turnover won’t be the same as if we were fully open. So it’s 50/50 – we want to open, and with the right weather, we could do enough.”

And as the community prepares to make steps towards life post-lockdown, mayor of Melksham, cllr Pat Aves, has shared her hopes for the town. “Like a phoenix, Melksham will emerge from this stronger, smarter, better,” she said. “We have a lot to look forward to!”

About the Government’s announcement last week, Andy and Christine York from Andy York Photography said, “It’s good to have a date that we can all focus on, as before we were all just wondering – we were in limbo, fumbling around not knowing where to go. Now we can prepare and plan – and look for ways to improve the business. It’s given us some hope. 

“And it’ll be a relief to reopen. We need that contact with customers – it’s the best way to get feedback.”

Alexandra Stevens and Victoria Stevens from Tops Hair Salon & Beauty, said, “It feels better to have a date to aim for. We know we’re going to be really busy, and it will be lovely to welcome back staff and get the world going again. It is nice to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Financial impact

About the impact of the national lockdown on trade, Andy and Christine said, “We have missed out on the post-Christmas trade – we are normally very busy, as people get presents that need attention by at least one of our services. And February is normally a good month for us too.

“We’ve had some online business, but there are some services, like framing, that we haven’t been able to do. And we’ve had lots of enquiries for when we do open – so it feels like people haven’t forgotten the town – they’ve paused their requirements. It’s reassuring.

“So we’re hoping that this is all on hold and will return when we are open – and the enquiries we’ve received do indicate this.”

“We’re lucky to have the furlough scheme,” said Alexandra and Victoria from Tops, “And we were really lucky when we reopened in July last year – there was no lull in business.

“But we could do with going back to work soon, we’re not taking any money at the moment and the grants don’t cover all of our committed expenses. So we’re hoping for a similar resurgence in business when we reopen in April.”

And ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 3rd March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that eligible shops, pubs, restaurants and  other businesses will receive grants of up to £18,000 from a £5billion ‘Restart Grant scheme’ to help them reopen as lockdown is eased. 

John from the Somerset Arms agreed that he was grateful for help from the government. He said, “We are dribbling a gradual loss every day. The ‘Restart Grant Scheme’ will help a lot – it will be nice to start on an even keel and not worry too much about breaking even. We’ll be able to take a little bit of a hit.

“But a lot of revenue has been missed. We have done enough takeaways to ‘keep the lights on’, and the furlough scheme has been a godsend

“But if it wasn’t for the grants coming through, we’d be in all sorts of trouble -they’ve saved the day really.”

A stronger Melksham

Rallying the community with a message of hope for life post-lockdown, mayor of Melksham, cllr Pat Aves, added, “Well, here we are again, nearing the end of another two months of lockdown, and looking forward to warmer days of spring and summer to come. 

“Hopefully it won’t be too long now before we can all start making plans and doing those things that we once took for granted – browsing in shops, visiting or having a meal out with friends and family or a picnic in the park, going to the hairdresser, festivals and shows, all in our lovely town. 

“Once again we must say a huge thank you to the many volunteers in Melksham, who continue to step forward and help others in our community during these difficult times.

“We remember with sadness, those we have lost.

“These last two months have been hard on all of us in one way or another, but once again the people of Melksham have knuckled down and done their bit to help defeat this awful virus. 

“While the herculean work of research teams around the world have stepped up to develop vaccines so that we can be safe, we have all learned a great deal about how to protect ourselves. However, for a while yet we all need to remain cautious, get vaccinated and stay vigilant while the threat recedes.

“We have all learned new ways of living; post pandemic life will be different. The High Street, is evolving, changing. As fewer people travel less to their daily jobs, a new day-long vibrancy will be added to the town centre, where I am sure a new entrepreneurial spirit will emerge and create opportunities for people who have new personal priorities.”