Calderdale businesses leaders speak out on how traders have coped in the pandemic

Chloe McNeill, of Halifax BID, told members of Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board that compared to other BIDs she had spoken to, the response of Halifax busineses had been fairly strong.

“The majority of businesses are now open but have changed their hours, gradually growing them as they see fit,” she said.

People were embracing technology more than they were so it was the right time to enact town centre apps and 80 offers from Halifax businesses had been made on that platform and more could be put on in the run up to Christmas, said Ms McNeill.

Woolshops, Halifax, shopping centre manager Jason Gregg said at its worst trade went down to 25 per cent of normal but had reached 55 per cent by June and 75 per cent by the end of the school holidays, at which it remained but following a more normal pattern.

The Woolshops car park was quite healthy at 90 per cent occupancy, Woolshops did not lose any retailers because of COVID-19, although a couple had been lost for other reasons.

But the coming Christmas “golden” quarter was key, with January to March next year possibly seeing more businesses goung out of business, said Mr Gregg.

Michelle Vease, of Brighouse BID, said COVID-19 hit hard on the heels of the town starting to recover from flooding in February.

“The general feeling from businesses is they are really struggling in terms of keeping people coming in,” she said.

Shops were tending to close earlier, around 3pm, and Brighouse BID was trying to get them to stay open later. The night time economy had also been hit.

“In terms of visitors it is very flat. We are trying to encourage businesses to go online but not all are as quick to adapt.

“Main events like the 40s’ weekend, with which so many businesses have done well, we have just not been able to host.

“The general consesus is businesses are just trying to keep their heads above water – with no end in sight it is difficult,” said Ms Vease.

Brighouse florist Lesley Adams said she had used more online methods to boost business, for example YouTube videos showing stock, and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. “That’s how we’ve bounced back,” she said.

Rachel Oates of Sowerby Bridge Business Network said the network had offered support to businesses including about what grants they might be able to claim, but they were finding the situation difficult.

The network had brought in an insolvency practitioner to give advice on restructuring businesses before they got to the stage where it was too late.

“Many businesses have diversified and we are encouraging that.

“People also need a bit of a lift and the Sowerby Bridge network hosted an awards evening online,” said Ms Oates.