“Now we’ve got the date you can start moving forward” - Businesses in Calderdale gearing up for grand re-opening

The country’s route out of lockdown and social restrictions have been mapped out by the government, and business owners say it offers them something positive to focus on and start making plans around for when they can re-open.

Kate Owen, who has owned clothing boutique House 925 at The Piece Hall since 2017, said: I think it’s quite alright to be honest, it’s given us enough notice to get the shop prepared for re-opening, we know what stock to buy because we’ve got a date to work towards.

“It sounds quite good, I’m quite happy about it.

“Before, because we didn’t have a date, you couldn’t really plan ahead, whereas now we’ve got the date you can start moving forward with re-opening plans.

“I don’t think just over a month is too long to wait.”

Kate is hoping people will return to the town centre once life gets back to normal.

“I hope so. I think local people will want to support local businesses, which they do anyway.

“I have quite a lot of regular customers so I think they’ll be excited about coming back in and having face-to-face interaction.

“People like to come in and have a chat so I think they will just to see people again.”

Steve Francis, managing director of Elland Brewery, said: “Our business is struggling because our business is making beer and nobody can buy it.

“But overall, I agree with the approach. Hopefully he’s right, it’s a one-way street, we don’t want to end up back where we started from because we’ve had a few goes at re-opening.

“We lose sales when the pubs aren’t open but also all the beer we brewed the first time, thinking we were going to be able to sell it, quite a lot of it had to be thrown away.

“I look forward to some clarification. The brewing process means if we want to sell to you next week we need to be doing it from today, to give it chance to age.

“So we need more clarification and firming up on dates.

“You’re looking at a shelf life of roundabout six weeks for real ale once it’s in the cask, so we need to have the confidence that it’s not going to get pulled out.

“I think the sensible thing to do would be limited brews, not the full range, so we’ve got less to shift.

“This has been a hard time for anybody in this trade. I wonder how many breweries will survive.

“We went into this with fairly good cash reserves because we were looking to buy new kit. We’ve lost a lot of money, but we are still cash positive.

“I wonder about others. I know nothing about anybody else’s business but logically, some of the breweries and bars won’t survive.”

Sam Holmes, general manager at True North Restaurant in Halifax, said: “The dates and information announced are definitely encouraging for us. Whilst we know there is still some way to go, it certainly offers an indication that we’re heading the right way. True North like many other hospitality businesses has been closed since November - as soon as we’re able to get back to doing what we love, we will be doing.

“The Arches Wedding & Events is also a part of our group, so we were glad to finally see a plan for the release of restrictions to weddings and events. I know our brides, grooms and clients are eager to finalise their plans so as soon as we have more information in respect of weddings, we will of course be in touch with everybody.

“Overall we’re optimistic but as ever remaining cautious.”

Tracy Harvey, managing director of Harvey’s department store in Halifax town centre, said: “Following the announcement by Boris Johnson we now know that the earliest ‘non-essential’ retail can re-open is 12th April, so another seven weeks of no trade.

“Obviously we had been hoping for the date to be earlier, particularly with the safety measures that businesses like ours have spent so much time, money and effort on. However, I realise that this absolutely has to be the last lockdown and relaxing of the rules must be led by the science.

“Myself and my team are all chomping at the bit to get back to work and open our doors again and will be so excited to see all our wonderful customers. 
We have been kept going by their wonderful support through lockdown but there’s nothing like the theatre and social aspect of going shopping with friends.

“It finally feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine programme going well and now some clear details on the way out of lockdown.

“Hopefully see you all in April!”

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO at The Piece Hall Trust, said: “The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for everybody, not least the tourism, event, hospitality and retail sectors, but it finally feels like we have many reasons to be hopeful over the coming weeks and months.

“With non-essential retail potentially allowed to open from 12th April, many of our tenants will now have a timescale to work towards and we remain committed to supporting our vibrant retail community, many of whom continue to operate online via https://thepiecehall.co.uk/shop.

“We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to determine the safest way to re-open The Piece Hall to visitors. We have been busily working through the lockdown to carry out essential maintenance and a significant deep clean, and will be spending the next weeks and months determining the art of the possible in terms of our planned events and other activities to provide some much-needed joy for the local community and visitors.

“Whilst we acknowledge that the detail of the roadmap to recovery will be published over the next few weeks and months, we should all take heart that we are on a road to recovery. Venues such as The Piece Hall play such an important part in the welfare of individuals, the prospects of businesses and the success of our communities and we remain committed to playing our role in the recovery of the town and the borough.”

Martin Hathaway, Managing Director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome this roadmap and hope that it will come as a relief for businesses that have been subject to strict lockdown regulations and closures. However, there is still a lot of confusion for businesses in Calderdale and beyond trying to interpret what these new rules means for them and their businesses.

“There needs to be a clear financial support package that follows the proposed roadmap, allowing businesses access to vital financial support until their sector can reopen. Businesses need clarity on the financial aspects of this roadmap now, we shouldn’t have to wait another week for the budget. This is especially crucial for those who are still months away from reopening in the hospitality and tourism sectors. These sectors are the heartbeat of Calderdale’s economy and will play a major role in helping the area to recover.

“Businesses in Calderdale and the wider Yorkshire region have been subject to some of the tightest restrictions for many months now, and they will need continued support to allow them to recover and be in a position where survival and future growth is possible.

“The key support schemes for businesses, including furlough, should be extended throughout the summer, with consideration given to providing support for the remainder of 2021, to ensure that as many firms as possible can survive.

“We know from our recent experience with this virus that new variants and waves can alter even the best laid plans, so I do hope that the Government has a robust and flexible support frame to assist with helping businesses to follow this roadmap, even if things don’t go to plan.

“We are hopefully on the last stretch and can, in the next few months, return to some sort of normal. We welcome this roadmap and are grateful that businesses can start putting plans in place to get back on their feet, I am confident that we can make a successful recovery, but additional and continued Government support is needed.”