Shoppers return to town centre after businesses reopen to kick-start economy

While non-essential businesses were permitted to reopen on Monday, they are required to follow ‘Covid-19 secure’ guidelines set out by the Government.

Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, as well as frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces.

Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed the guidance.

Senior figures at Labour-run Warrington Borough Council have been monitoring this week’s reopening of the town centre closely.

Leader Cllr Russ Bowden is confident the borough’s economy can bounce back from the coronavirus crisis.

Cllr Russ Bowden

He says safety is at the heart of the town centre reopening as he urged people to return to the area to boost businesses.

“Warrington has got back to business this week – and seeing our town centre coming alive with activity again has given me confidence in our ability to bounce back from Covid-19,” said Cllr Bowden.

“It’s been encouraging to see our shops and businesses opening their doors to customers once more, with the positive, dynamic, ‘can do’ attitude that makes our town one of the leading locations for retail and commerce.

“As a council, we have worked hard, throughout the pandemic, to support our business community in every possible way.

“I’m proud of the resilience and adaptability they have shown, as well as their commitment to working together to support their staff and each other.

“The result of this resilience is that our businesses and shops have been well prepared to restart and reopen for business, as safely as possible.

“A successful high street is crucial to Warrington’s economic recovery, so it’s really important that shoppers return to the town centre, and give our fantastic businesses a much-needed boost.”

Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, the Opposition group, says Warrington is potentially well placed to offer a fresh ‘new normal’ shopping and leisure experience, but only if the town pulls together and supports local traders.

Cllr Bob Barr

“It will be a relief to businesses in Warrington that not only is non-essential shopping now possible, but that a good number of shoppers want to take advantage of it,” he said.

“However, this isn’t the launch that we wanted for the new Time Square, or the level of reopening for Golden Square and our other retail parks.

“There is a real question mark over whether high streets around the country can recover and if they can, what proportion of their former business they can regain. Many will no longer be viable.

“That makes it much more important that those of us who have learnt to support and use local suppliers during the lockdown continue to do so – and that those who used to see Liverpool, Manchester and Cheshire Oaks as their go-to shopping destinations consider shopping more locally.”

Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter urged people to remember to keep their distance from others, wear a face-covering in busier places and to wash their hands when they get home.

“We all want to see our high streets thriving again and that’s why I’m encouraging everyone to support our local businesses by shopping local,” he said.

“There are quite a few changes in the town centre to help keep you safe including wider pavements and one-way systems for pedestrians.”

Millets in Golden Square Shopping Centre allowed four customers in its store at any one time on Monday, along with two staff members, to reassure shoppers.

Store manager Barry Lewis says customers were fantastic and adhered to the social distancing measures in place.

Barry Lewis

He said: “With us being a small unit it is quite a challenge and a struggle for us, so we have done the best that we possibly can with what we have physically got, space wise.

“But no one seems to have been put off by that.

“I was fortunate as the company had brought all store managers back with ample amount of time to make sure that we can implement all of these safety measures so when we opened the door this morning, it was not only 100 per cent secure for ourselves, but also for anyone coming through that door. The company has done brilliantly in regards to that.”

Adam Rawlinson, manager at Lush in Golden Square, says customers have been keen to see the store reopen.

He said: “This morning when we opened up we had a lovely queue of our regular customers.

“There has been a good flow this morning. We rely a lot on regular customers.

“But because Lush has such a strong standpoint in terms of its values, its ethics and the way it runs its business, people have been missing Lush, people have been wanting Lush back.

Adam Rawlinson

“The factory are working really hard to make sure they are meeting fulfilments but they are now filling 106 stores in the UK and Ireland.

“What people forget is that Lush has ingredients that come from all around the world so when distribution is affected it affects the business as a whole.”

Mr Rawlinson also said there is a concern that people may, at least initially, be too worried to return to the town centre.

“But then on the other hand, the Government’s scheme and the furlough scheme means that businesses are well protected,” he added.

“As you can see there are only two of us working today, one to abide by social distancing but also that makes sure that we can manage our staffing costs until that footfall comes.

“I think as long as everyone is doing what they can as retailers to ensure that customers are going to be kept safe, Golden Square and the BID itself is helping with the town centre, with all these things in place I think that eventually customers will start wanting to venture out.

“Lush is a place where you want to come and smell things, it is a place where you want to be interactive.

“Although we have had to restrict what we can do, it doesn’t mean we can’t give that level of customer service and as regular customers start seeing that, and word of mouth, I think you’ll start seeing more people come.”

Businesses should only reopen once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks.

A company has reflected on its ‘survival’ during the coronavirus crisis.

Henry Seddon and business partner Paul Richards, from Henry’s Laptops, have adapted to a new way of life during the lockdown.

Henry Seddon and Paul Richards

But as the town embarks on a new chapter, Henry says the biggest challenge for the firm is making sure it can provide for two wages.

The company, which is located on John Street, carries out work including laptop and computer repairs.

“We have kind of been working in the background,” said Henry.

“Loyal customers have still been coming down to my house.

“It has not been great as I have not been able to be in the office, I have been working out of my kitchen.

“It has not been ideal but we have balanced the books so to speak, so we have been doing ok.

“It has not been good. We have survived but we could have done better.

“I am fortunate and lucky that people trust me and, obviously, reputation has got me to where I am today.

“We kind of adapt and we change, like any business you are either going to sink or swim.

“I am here to help people try to swim in that respect.

“When businesses reopen if they were to call upon me I would try to be there for them as much as I can.”

Meanwhile, a director of a town centre business says he has never been as excited to come to work as he was on Monday.

Security Centres (Warrington) Ltd, which launched in 1978, has been allowed to go out to work for emergencies during the lockdown.

But its Bridge Street shop has remained closed.

However, that all changed on Monday as the town centre reopened for business.

Security Centres director Daniel Hesketh is hopeful the business will return to what it was prior to the lockdown.

Daniel Hesketh

Mr Hesketh also hopes the new £11 million Warrington Market, which will open on July 6, will deliver a significant boost to town centre footfall.

“Obviously, with any new business or any new building people are going to come and see it,” he said.

“You would like to think it will get back to normal in time.

“I think it will probably be quiet for a couple of days, people’s confidence needs to be restored.

“I am just glad to be back.

“I have never been so excited to come to work as I was this morning.”

Bewsey resident Trevor Jones was among the many shoppers in the town centre today as non-essential businesses reopened on Monday.

Trevor Jones

“It feels strange being back,” he said.

“I think it will take quite while until everything gets back operational as it was before.

“Some people that I have seen have not been social distancing – they have been in groups together and all sat next to each other.

“I don’t think they understand the rules of social distancing to be honest.

“I feel safe because I am watching where I am going.

“Hopefully, it will improve over the next couple of weeks, I hope people understand the rules and follow them.

“I have been stuck in the house bored, I feel better by getting out and about and seeing people makes a change.”

Grappenhall resident Matthew Stewart was delighted to get out and into the town centre on Monday.

“The sun is shining and people look happy,” he said.

Matthew Stewart

“It is a release, isn’t it? Thirteen weeks of basically being in prison and now to just being able to get out and just see people, it is quite nice.

“I am one of the few that was quite sceptical about the whole lockdown in the first place.

“So in terms of feeling safe, definitely, I would have been happy to come out six weeks ago if I’m being honest.

“I am just glad to see things are getting back to the new norm but I’m pretty confident that maybe in a couple of months we will be back to normal – that is my viewpoint on it.”