Penrith is back open for business – but shop owners have mixed opinions about the future of the high street.
England’s four-week lockdown forced all non-essential retail to close throughout November.
Restrictions were lifted on 2nd December and shoppers were allowed to return to Penrith. We have spoken to traders in the town about their first day.
There were some very long days waiting for the phone to ring over lockdown, so I just hope everything can remain open. Over lockdown we’ve sold appliances to the NHS and the police. The VAT raised from our sales pays for kids to go to school and the armed forces to protect us and hospitals to care for us
Dave Hudson, owner of Dave Hudson Electrical, Great Dockray
We need to get back to normal. Competition is good for local businesses as it pushes up footfall, no shops open means no shoppers. We’ve been reasonably busy today but November is normally our second busiest month.
Nigel Scott, co-owner of Arnison and Sons on Devonshire Street
No high street, no community, no heart. I’m hoping people shop local. For a third of the year we’ve not been able to open.
Rosie Birtle, owner of Birtle Sports, on Corn Market
It’s been lovely to hear people back in the Arcade again, sitting and having tea. People are definitely supporting local a lot more.
Hazel Waugh, owner of Rooting 4 U in Devonshire Arcade
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It was like a normal Wednesday before lockdown. But we’ve had a dramatic shortfall in revenue as a result of lockdown. We’ve planned well for the pandemic but there has been a big drop and we need to get back to full strength.
Kelvin Dixon, owner of Seagraves and Dixon on Corn Market
We’ve been really really busy since opening and its our busiest time of the year running up to Christmas so I’m optimistic. I’m happy to see people out and about, Poet’s walk has been busy all day.
Carol Edmondson, manager of Morgan Curtain Design on Poet’s Walk
