Covid-19 lockdown easing: Worthing traders welcome Boris Johnson’s road map out of lockdown

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Worthing’s town centre traders have reacted with cautious optimism to Boris Johnson’s announcement of a ‘cautious but irreversible’ move out of lockdown.

Town centre manager Sharon Clarke, who is a director of business group Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI), said stability was key for businesses’ preparations.

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“From a business and hospitality point of view, the sooner they open the better, because they have got to get through this,” she said.

“But the worst thing is to have that stop start thing where businesses are opening but then being told they have to close again.

An aerial view of Worthing town centre. Picture by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160818-140517001An aerial view of Worthing town centre. Picture by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160818-140517001
An aerial view of Worthing town centre. Picture by Eddie Mitchell SUS-160818-140517001

“If they know this is a good road map and this will be the last time and they can start building, then it’s worth waiting that extra few weeks for.”

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this afternoon (February 22) that non-essential shops can reopen from April 12, as well as hairdressers and libraries.

Outdoor hospitality can also begin again, such as beer gardens and alcohol takeaways.

From May 17, more restrictions will be lifted but with the Rule of Six in place and, no sooner than June 21, all restrictions will be removed.

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Sharon said that while non-essential shops can reopen with only around 24 hours’ notice, hospitality businesses need up to two weeks to get ready.

Being forced to then close again leads to wasted stock such as beer which goes bad in its keg.

“The fact it, they can plan for it and get everything back to normal and have some confidence in the fact that this will be the relaunch they were hoping for last summer,” said Sharon.

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Many businesses would be disappointed to have lost Easter trade and Mother’s Day, which is the heaviest day for footfall outside of the Christmas period.

She called on the Government to retain the business rates holiday to compensate for the loss of trade.

Worthing town centre currently has a vacancy rate of 6.8 per cent, Sharon said, compared to the national average of 10.9 per cent.

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Some businesses have gone – including large chains such as Debenhams and Topshop – but new restaurants and cafés have opened up.

June’s reopening also lends itself to Worthing’s flagship events going ahead, such as Worthing Pride in July and the Food Festival in September.

“It will be great to get some positivity and vibrancy back into the town” said Sharon.

“Everybody will need the support of the locals. The message is for people to get out there and support their local traders once they reopen.”