Independent businesses in Colchester welcome ideas to bring people back to the High Street
Campaigners want to see an Eat Out to Help Out-style scheme.
Campaigners are urging the Chancellor to introduce an Eat Out to Help Out-style scheme to give small, independent shops a boost when they reopen next month.
Save The Street is a campaign group backed by Mary Portas and Charlotte Tilbury.
The scheme would see customers offered 50-percent off the cost of goods up to a price of 10-pounds to help bring people back into some of the small independent shops.
Bill and Bert's is an independent store that opened in Colchester in 2019 and in the twenty one months since they opened they've been closed for eight months.
Bill told us they have been very lucky and supported by the Government grants, but any further help will always be welcomed:
"Any Scheme that helps any retailer whether it be me or Primark get some of the lost sales back has got to be a good idea.
Shopping is going to come down to the personality behind the counter, do you provide a happy experience, a safe experience and some fun and is the customer happy when they left your shop? It really won't come down to price, it's about customer service."
Although Bill thinks it could help to give independent businesses a boost, he also told us there is a better ways to bring people back to the town:
"Free parking in every town centre in the country would get more people shopping. If you talk to customers their biggest bug bear is the price of parking in the town centre."
All non-essential retail will be able to reopen their doors from the 12th April.
You can find out more about the campaign group and their open letter to the Government here.
12 April: shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions
From 12 April, non-essential shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions, including zoos, theme parks and outdoor cinemas will be permitted to reopen.
12 April: Beer gardens reopen
From 12 April, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although you must order via table service.
12 April: Gyms reopen
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms can reopen from 12 April (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups).
12 April: Self contained accommodation
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can also reopen in Step 2 of lockdown easing, taking place on the 12th April.
17 May: Indoor mixing
STEP THREE: From May 17 at earliest, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors and limited crowds will be allowed to return to sporting events. Children's play areas will be opened alongside hotels, and limited groups will be allowed in theatres.
17 May: Possible foreign travel
STEP THREE: Foreign travel may be permitted from 17 May.
17 May: Indoor hospitality
STEP THREE: Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants could reopen from 17 May.
21 June: Nightclubs could reopen
From 21 June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume, including theatres. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21 June: Bigger weddings
Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21 June.