Keep shopping local! Shops praise community support – but they still need your help!

IT’S been seven weeks since non-essential shops were allowed to reopen and Melksham business owners have praised the support of the local community – but the message remains the same – ‘keep shopping local!’

The town centre saw a surge of activity as lockdown restrictions were eased in mid-June, with many people excited to be able to leave their homes and go shopping.

But as life continues to return to ‘normal’ and the initial excitement and novelty of being allowed out of our homes to shop starts to dwindle, businesses owners  are appealing to the community to keep shopping local.

As part of its ongoing ‘Shop Local’ campaign, which is encouraging the community to support local businesses, Melksham News spoke to a number of local businesses to find out how they are coping post-lockdown.

Matt Brown from the Toy Shop said, “We are happy with the trade so far, footfall is down, but the spend is about average. So considering the current situation, we are happy – we have seen worse, and we have seen better.

“We are concerned with support starting to fall – when non-essential shops reopened, there was excitement that people were allowed out and could go shopping again. But this has diluted as time has gone on – more places are open now (barbers, pubs, restaurants) – so people have more choice about where they can spend their money – people’s spare income is being spread about.

“It’s still important that we shop local, support local businesses and independent shops – we are still in unchartered waters – we don’t know if there will be a local lockdown, a second spike, and I don’t think the government will be as generous the next time. So shop local, stay local and support local!”

Ali from Total Carpets & Flooring said, “We have been really busy – we’re really pleased with how it’s gone. People are still finishing off home improvement works they started during lockdown, and now they are ready to start putting in the carpers and flooring.

“There are some signs that trade is starting to drop off slightly – but overall it has been good. Thank you to everyone who has stayed local and supported local businesses – we still need your support, so keep it all local.”

Steve Plummer from Holiday & Cruises, which recently opened in the town centre said, “The support from the Melksham community has been fantastic- we have got a lot of new customers and people have been booking holidays after seeing them in our window, which is not something that happens in our Bradford on Avon branch.

“Melksham has quite a vibrant town centre compared to other Wiltshire towns, but it does have its quiet moments. Understandably some people are still staying at home.

“But if people want a High Street they need to shop local – people have got to leave their homes at some point. If you don’t want to lose the High Street, shop local.”

Melksham responds well to face coverings rule – but is it deterring some shoppers?

LOCAL shops and businesses have reported an overall positive reaction from customers to the new face coverings rule.

But concern has also been raised that the rule might be putting off non-essential shoppers from visiting the town – and some business owners have branded the rule as ‘confusing’.

On Friday 24th July it became compulsory to wear a face covering inside shops and supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways.  Police can hand out fines of up to £100 if people do not comply.

Steve Plummer from Holiday & Cruises, which recently opened in the town centre said, “Everyone is abiding by the new rule and listening to what the government has to say – they all appear to have taken it to heart. Our customers have to pre-book their visit, so are reminded before hand that they need to bring a face covering.”

Matt Brown from the Toy Shop said, “I do believe that the face mask issue should have been implemented when the shops reopened, not weeks later as an after thought. 

“I do think that it will deter people from shopping. The rules are confusing too – you can go to the pub, get drunk, and hug your mate, but you don’t have to wear a face mask?!”

Ali from Total Carpets & Flooring said, “We are unsure how the new rule regarding masks will impact us long-term -it’s confusing about where and when people have to wear them, and also staff don’t have to wear them – but in Total Carpets & Flooring, both customers and staff will be wearing them.