Businesses in Sudbury area worried for their future as second coronavirus lockdown takes effect
With a second UK-wide lockdown in effect, retail and hospitality businesses are bracing themselves for a huge hit to trade in what would have been their most profitable time of the year in the run-up to Christmas.
Matthew Warnock, who owns Peddars, the tailored men’s clothing store in King Street, described the lockdown as “disastrous”, with shops classified as selling non-essential items having to close from today.
“I don’t think there will be a shop that will be unaffected by this, and I am sure we will see more permanent closures as a result,” he said.
“I would say that for all the shops in town, it’s pretty disastrous, and it’s happening in the Christmas season when we would have hoped to make up some of the lost income.”
John McMillan, president of Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, agreed that non-essential retail in the town will be hardest hit. “The ability to buy online is patchy, but I think that will have to be the way forward,” he said.
Winch & Blatch, which was due to close in December with the loss of 46 jobs due to increased costs, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, pledged to reopen on December 3 if allowed to by the Government.
“We will have final clearance offers on our remaining stock,” said director Judith Blatch. “Our final closing date is uncertain, given the current situation.”
She added: “Everyone at Winch & Blatch would like to thank all of our customers, and Richard and I would also like to thank our staff, past and present, for their lovely words and kindness over the last few weeks since the news of our closure became public. We will miss you as much as you will miss us.”
Sudbury town centre manager Rachel Price confirmed that the town’s markets on Thursday and Saturday will remain open, with social distancing in place, but only stallholders selling essentials, such as food, will be permitted.
Nik Forsstrom, who runs The Hare Inn in Long Melford, said the pub had installed technology during the last lockdown to allow customers to order food and drink from their table.
“We are not staying open during lockdown, but we might be doing Sunday roasts, which people can order online from our website,” he said. “We added the technology last time around and it has enabled us to offer customers takeaway food through our ordering system.”
He said he was “really apprehensive” for the future of businesses and people’s livelihoods.
He said: “I am one of those people who will follow the rules, so we will close. We are quite a strong business so we will survive it, but it’s a worry for staff and for everyone affected by businesses having to shut.”
The White Horse pub in Sudbury held a cask sale, tweeting it would rather sell them than throw them away. Annie Smith said the pub was running a take-away food service, ordering through its website.
The Wagon pub in Acton Square said it would also be selling off its stock on a first come, first served basis.
Jaz Brooks, at The Henny Swan in Great Henny, confirmed the business will close as it could not offer food. “At the moment, it’s been ruled out,” she said.
