Hartlepool businesses seeing effects of pandemic on visitor numbers

Some independent traders say they are worried if they can survive after being hit by the national lockdown and new local restrictions preventing people socialising.

The Hartlepool Mail has been asking readers questions how their lifestyles and attitudes have changed during the pandemic in our Big Conversation online survey.

The results found 40% said they had visited the town centre a lot less, while 17.9% said they hadn't visited at all.

And 32.8% were not comfortable eating at cafes/restaurants while 39.7% were not comfortable about going to shops and libraries.

Janice Auton, who owns Poppys Hairdressing in Victoria Road, and is part of the Totally Locally Hartlepool network of independent businesses, said: “Our numbers are definitely down which is to be expected with many being mindful of leaving home.

"We have as many stringent PPE procedures and risk assessments in place to ensure an extremely safe environment which has encouraged new clients to visit.”

But Janice said clients are spending more and booking appointments for Christmas.

“Hopefully this becomes a trend for all businesses, less visits but increase spend so they plan their shopping trips in a more organised way,” she said.

“Working with other leaders on the Love Hartlepool campaign it is imperative we collaborate, share data and explore opportunities embracing new ideas.”

Sara Harvey of family-friendly cafe and play space Daisy & Beas, in Villiers Street, said year-on-year sales were down by almost 40% for September and she is seeing the effects of the latest local restrictions.

She said: “I am worried because we are a business were people meet friends, grandparents take children etc.

“I’m not sure how long I can survive if they keep putting restrictions on us.”

Footfall at Middleton Grange shopping centre is down, but it appears to be bucking the national trend.

Weekly visits are down 34.6% for the year, but the UK average is 40.6%.

And year-on-year it is down by 25.7% compared to the national average of 34.2%.

Centre manager Mark Rycraft said: “Because of the wide variety of stores, and that we are easily accessible to the community, we find that customers are choosing to buy local.”

The shopping centre says it is doing a number of things to help customers feel safe including playing safety messages through its speaker system, displaying safety messages through the centre and on all entrance doors and putting hand sanitising stations at all entrances.

Trevor Sherwood, of LilyAnne’s coffee shop in Victoria Road, said customer numbers have fallen slightly with the new ban on household mixing.

He said: “For us the challenge is getting people to have the confidence to come back out.”

But he said once they do visit, they feel safe due to the numerous measures in place including screens around the tables and remote table ordering facilities.

But Cheryl Arnold who runs online business GingeEco selling eco-friendly products said sales are much higher than pre-lockdown.

Around 30 independent Hartlepool businesses are taking part in Fiver Fest from Saturday October 10-24 they hope will provide a boost.

Participating businesses put on special £5 offers to showcase their diversity and value, and thank the community.

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