‘Shop local – spend local’: Bolsover is back in business

After closing in March due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus, scores of non-essential shops across the town reopened this week with safety measures in place after the Government eased lockdown restrictions.

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Sharon Malia, owner of Gifted with Love on Market Place, told the Derbyshire Times ahead of Monday’s reopening: “2020 has been a difficult year for all so far.

“My customers have been so supportive of my little shop during lockdown and I can’t thank them enough.

“I’ve had a busy week helping my customers in their click and collect requests while also getting the shop ready to reopen.

“I’ve carried out risk assessments and rearranged the shop layout to create a one-way system – there are posters detailing policies and procedures.

“Two customers are allowed in the shop at one time and they must maintain social distancing and use hand gel.

“My customers’ safety is my main priority.

“We can’t wait to welcome people back – onwards and upwards.”

Marie Carline, owner of Bolsover Flowers on Mansfield Road, Hillstown, is also glad to be back.

She said: “We can’t wait to see our customers old and new in person.

“To make our customers feel safe we have a touchless hand sanitiser outside the shop door.

“The shop has been arranged so only one customer can enter at any time and a Perspex screen has been put up so we can safely take payment.

“We also have procedures in place so if you’re experiencing a bereavement and are close family we can accommodate more than one person safely.

“It’s been a difficult time for many and we appreciate everyone’s patience while using our new system.”

Councillor Steve Fritchley, leader of Bolsover District Concil, urged people to ‘shop local – spend local’.

He said: “We have been working with local businesses providing advice and guidance on how to operate safely and within the current guidelines and will continue to do so.

“We need to make every effort to stimulate the local economy by adopting a Keynesian approach and spending locally.

“One of our top priorities is to help local businesses and economies to grow so that everyone across Bolsover district can benefit – and that’s what continues to drive our efforts.

“Many independent shops, traders and other businesses like our tourist attractions are having a really tough time of it.

“That’s why we’re doing everything we can to invest in our high streets – because if you don’t use them, you will lose them.”

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said companies faced ‘immense pressure’ over the last three months – and painted a bleak picture for the future.

She said: “A mix of low consumer confidence and limits on the number of people able to enter stores mean that many shops will continue to suffer.

“The Government should consider options to stimulate demand, such as a short-term reduction in VAT.

“As they return to serving the country, there is still a risk that many physical shops could end up closing their doors again – only this time, permanently.”

MORE: Full list of shops that will reopen in June - from John Lewis to Boots and Primark

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