“Independent retail businesses can offer a safe shopping environment and will help keep people within their local communities”, says the head of the British Independent Retail Association (Bira).

Andrew Goodacre is calling for small independent shops to reopen during the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions. He says that a shop’s size should not be the deciding factor on when it can reopen for business. It should be its ability to keep staff and customers safe.

Goodacre also highlights that small shops help to keep people within their local communities; helping to remove the need to travel to retail parks and larger stores.

New research from Springboard shows visits to high streets across the country fell by more than 80% in April. However, there was also a shift from larger shopping hubs to smaller, more local centres.

“Allowing the smaller shops to open with correct measures in place will keep people in their communities,” says Goodacre. “The latest figures on footfall have shown this trend is now there and should be encouraged in the interest of safety.”

Boris Johnson recently announced plans to ease lockdown restrictions in a televised address to the nation. He said shops could reopen from 1 June if cases of Covid-19 continue to decline at a satisfactory rate.

Goodacre continues: “Many essential small shops have continued to trade in a safe way. We have seen the virus bought under control as a result. They are responsible retailers who do look after their people and customers.

“Safety of employees and customers is what is essential. Social distancing will remain in place and all business will have to make adjustments.”

For further information on Bira, please click here. Bira’s Coronavirus Hub also offers additional advice and support for independent businesses.