We can’t escape the fact that the present restrictions currently in place to combat Covid-19 are having a very negative impact on some of our local businesses. Some of these businesses in the town, such as family owned shops were already facing tough trading conditions before the pandemic.
I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Business, asking the following question:
“I would like to ask the Secretary of State, in light of the support we are now giving estate agents to be able to operate safely using methods such as 'by appointment only' to allow other sectors to open for business.
I am mindful that in our town centres especially we have longterm successful businesses that are locally owned who are now really starting to struggle to stay afloat. Not only are they very important to our local economy (and key to our councils' business rates incomes) but are also key to helping our town centres to regenerate.
I would like to ask the Secretary of State to announce that retail businesses such as furniture shops (where people to do not need to handle lots of products and can purchase at a social distance) which can be easily operated safely in small numbers in a shop, are given permission to open as soon as possible. Their products are usually delivered, and as we know, most people who are working at home have been taking deliveries from online companies throughout lockdown”
I have a follow-up meeting with him on Thursday 21st May and I hope that will result in some progress on this issue. If you are a small business in Great Grimsby struggling with the current restrictions, please get in touch with me and I’ll do what I can to help.
