This column is written for The Stray Ferret by the President of Boroughbridge & District Chamber of Trade, Derek Hufton

Walking through Boroughbridge town centre in recent weeks has been a sobering and surreal experience. With the majority of businesses closed the normal hustle and bustle has gone. There are fewer familiar faces to acknowledge and pass the time of day with, and the usual banter between passers-by that normally gives the town its buzz in such a close-knit community is largely absent. Yet despite that, the people who do venture out for exercise or to visit the few essential shops that are still trading, invariably do so with a smile on their face. The renowned local community spirit is still very evident.

My own excursions around the town have been limited, but I do detect that that residents are preferring to shop local whenever possible because they feel safer than mingling with the crowds at supermarkets. I hope that will change some shopping habits beyond the crisis to the benefit of local businesses. While walking through the town on VE Day I was stopped in my tracks as a mother duck came waddling down the high street with 8 ducklings busily trying to keep up – not a sight you see in many town centres!

Last February I took over the Presidency of the local Chamber of Trade, so I naturally have a very keen interest in how the business community is faring at all times, but particularly now. Little did I know at the time what local businesses would be faced with just a few weeks into my tenure. They say timing is everything!

As a Chamber it’s important to ensure everyone is taking advantage of the help that is available from government through the crisis, but also to act as a conduit for sharing experiences and expertise – we are a business community. One thing I really miss now is not being able to have those informal face to face conversations of how things are going, and certainly there are no opportunities to ‘press the flesh.’

The businesses do not stand alone; they are part of a vibrant community in Boroughbridge. It has been really humbling to see the support and encouragement for local businesses coming from within the community. There is clearly a pent-up demand from loyal customers wishing to see their local valued businesses back open and trading again. It has been hugely gratifying to witness, and believe me, the businesses can’t wait.

For information on the Boroughbridge & District Chamber of Trade click here.