Almost two-thirds of businesses surveyed by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade have reported reduced takings during the coronavirus lockdown.
The survey of chamber members, published this week, also revealed 50% of traders believe their footfall has decreased.
Lockdown encouraged several businesses to diversify, for instance by offering online sales or delivery or take-away options. Of the businesses that changed strategy, 75% said they were going to continue offering their new services.
More than 80% took advantage of the government rates relief grant and about two-thirds used the furlough scheme. Just under half have reopened with restricted trading hours.
The chamber wants to encourage people to support small, local businesses and hopes the survey will inform ways to do this.
Bill Taylor, Knaresborough Chamber of Trade secretary, said:
“As the country came slowly out of lockdown in July the chamber wanted to assess what businesses in Knaresborough had been up to during the lockdown.
“We also wanted to establish what support those businesses had obtained and see what measures were being taken to keep everyone safe.
“It was reassuring to see so many businesses using the time to understand the needs of customers through the provision of additional services, training and understanding what the post-lockdown landscape would look like.”
Knaresborough: the chamber wants to encourage people to return to local stores rather than use online retailers.
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Additional comments on the survey suggested business owners wanted further promotion of the town and what it had to offer. Currently the Chamber promotes the #shoplocalstaysafe message to encourage the town’s residents to support local businesses.
