September 5, 2020 in News
In the space of a few months, fortunes have changed for many and it could be about to get a whole lot worse. I've been saying for some time that our Councils need to more proactive in helping and promoting our High Street before it's too late.
The reality is, High Streets are on the decline. Everyone knows that online shopping is growing at pace and the battlefield for 'bricks and mortar' is greater than ever before.
In recent weeks, we've seen several of Rayleighs retailers close but why have they closed? Is it purely a coinsidence or are they truly a victim of the Covid-19 'lockdown'?
Owners in the hospitality trade have probably been hit the hardest with some the longest closures and if they have been unable to adapt to the 'takeaway' model, revenue has dried up altogether.
Now, Ask Italian has confirmed that they will not be reopening in Rayleigh (see Echo News report here).
I've recently spoken to the Strategic Director at Rochford District Council and suggested that business owners are engaged and that a business survey be carried out to find out what struggles and challenges our businesses face in these uncertain times. Once this information has been obtained, targetted support can be offered. This kind of help, with a number of industry experts ideas, needs quick and decisive action before it is far too late.
You might also be interest in these posts...
As high house prices and many properties with ‘out of reach’ rental costs, does this mean more Rochford residents will be forced on to the housing register and is this a ticking time bomb for Rochford District Council? Many areas of public land in the UK was earmarked to fulfil the land shortage needed for new homes.
Read MoreMonday night’s Rayleigh Town Council Full Council meeting was a discussion amongst other matters about Crown Hill Public Toilets. (Item 19) We had spent the afternoon discussing with the Town Clerk that this item SHOULD NOT be in private & confidential as it was in the public interest, however it was feared by the Clerk
Read MoreSome time ago our efforts at the District Council to declare a climate emergency was stopped by the Conservatives. However, always determined, at the last meeting of Rayleigh Town Council I put forward a motion that the Town Council declared a climate emergency. The town council members seemed wholly enthusiastic about the motion and I’m
Read More