The sparse number of stalls on Ripon market this morning told its own story of a city that had woken up to day one of covid lockdown two.
Traders selling non-essential goods cannot work again at the market for at least four weeks — adding to the 11 weeks of lost business caused by the first lockdown from March until June.
Sonya Johnson, who would normally have been at Ripon market today with her female accessories stall, said:
“It’s not good obviously because it’s the busiest time of the year. We just need to grin and bear it and hope we can reopen for December. It’s come at the worse time ever as November and December are always really busy.
“We normally have the Christmas trade to tide us over through January and February but if we come back then it could be difficult.”
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Non-essential shops attempted to maximise sales yesterday in the final few hours before lockdown.
So did salons and barbers, which stayed open late for customers desperate to get a trim.
Wetherspoon’s Unicorn Hotel – the largest pub in Ripon – offered its real ales at 99 pence a pint before it closed.
Cafes and restaurants served their last November customers in the hope they will be back in early December.
No takeaways
Oliver’s Pantry in Fishergate kept its head above water during the first lockdown by introducing a limited takeaway service, but is not doing the same this time.
Lou Grant, joint owner of the business with husband Tim, said:
“We have considered all options and made the decision to fully lockdown.
“Hopefully, we will only be closed for a few weeks. We will monitor the news and hope to be able to open again very soon with a big bang.”
A sign in the cafe’s window this morning sent a simple message to all of Ripon’s businesses – ‘Don’t quit.’
Ripon retailers stay open until 7pm tonight ahead of lockdownRipon retailers classed as selling ‘non-essential’ goods are preparing for a second COVID-19 lockdown with trepidation – many staying open late tonight on the last day of trading.
Sarah Groom, owner of the Forbes giftshop on Westgate, told the Stray Ferret:
“For me, the timing could not be worse – the run-up to Christmas is my most important trading period of the year.”
She added:
“It’s when I make the money that sustains me through the quieter times, like January and February. I just hope that I can reopen in early December to serve customers with the Christmas goods that they want.”
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For Sarah, this is the second blow in a key trading period, as the first lockdown left her with Easter stock that she was unable to sell.
Also anticipating a double blow is Peter Wilkinson, owner of The Easy Learning Shop in the Duckhill Shopping Quarter (pictured above).
He said:
“It’s annoying to have another break in trade, I personally think that a 6pm curfew would work better than a lockdown.”
As well as the potential loss of pre-Christmas sales, items sold in the shop include the Grimm’s brand of wooden toys, which are imported from Germany and Peter pointed out:
“In the New Year we will be facing Brexit and tariffs that will make goods imported from Europe more expensive, which won’t help.”
This week both Forbes and The Easy Learning Shop will be staying open each night until 7pm before the lockdown comes into effect and after this, Peter will be stepping up on his online sales, free delivery and click and collect service.
The attempt to lighten the pre-lockdown mood saw clothes store M&Co in Fishergate go out on social media to encourage retailers in Ripon to offer late night shopping tonight.
Assistant manager Sophie Hattersley, said:
“We are supporters of the Love Local campaign and want to ensure that all of Ripon’s retailers get through these difficult times.”
She added:
“We have had a good response from other stores and hope that the extra hours of trade will give people a chance to come and shop safely before we shut down for a month.”