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09

Jun 2020

Last Updated: 08/06/2020
Business
Business

Harrogate retail prepares to fight for survival

by Calvin Robinson

| 09 Jun, 2020
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"I cannot just keep going for face value," is how one Harrogate store owner summed up her situation ahead of reopening. This week, we publish a series of reports on Retail In Crisis and look at how town centre shops are fighting to survive

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As nearly 10% of Harrogate town centre’s retail spaces sit empty, traders prepare to fight to survive as lockdown is eased.

After 10 weeks of closure, retailers and independent boutiques now face the task of making up lost ground, earning a living and protecting their customers at the same time.

Non-essential shops, such as clothing outlets, can reopen from Monday. But the aim for some is to see if they can survive the challenge that comes with social distancing measures and the cost of the crisis.

As an economic downturn looms, Harrogate’s outlets face an uphill task in surviving. During lockdown, among those retailers to leave the town's prestigious James Street is Jack Wills.

Among traders' concerns ahead of Monday include:


  • Payment of rents after reopening, despite being given rate relief and emergency grants

  • Limited customers in shops due to social distancing

  • Opening hours of stores if demand is low

  • One-way systems putting customers off


Despite support from government and the local authority, it may not be enough as traders face the difficult decision of whether to open up or not on Monday.



One of the shops reopening is lifestyle boutique Sophie Likes, which has been operating on Beulah Street for the past six years.

Sophie Hartley is the owner and sole employee in the store and has prepared for social distancing. But she said it will be difficult for local traders to make a living after lockdown.



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The closure of the shop left Sophie’s family without some of their income. She received a government grant but still hopes to have discussions with her landlord to help make it through until the end of the year.

She said: “It’s been pretty scary.
“All of a sudden you have the close the shop and you have no income.
“We are still not sure of our opening hours because we do not know how busy it is going to be.”


Another store owner, who did not wish to be named, said she had been "stung" financially by the lockdown and may have to close the store in future due to a lack of customers.

She said she had to seek advice after discussions about rent support with her landlord broke down and that Harrogate was a "ghost town" and the financial situation may lead her to reconsider the future of the store.

She said: “I cannot just keep going for face value.
"The high street is suffering and Harrogate is already a ghost town."


Despite these difficult times, there is no place for small businesses to turn to for support when negotiations with landlords prove to be difficult.

Retail in Crisis


This week we report on Retail In Crisis as stores prepare to reopen after lockdown.

Over the coming days, we will look at the fear of shoppers returning to the High Street, how trade associations are working to entice customers into Harrogate and the long view of the future of retail in the town.

Tomorrow, we look at shoppers anxieties over returning to shopping in town.