w/c 13 April 2020
Although there is not a definitive end in sight to the lock down we are surely all creating our ‘first things to do after coronavirus’ lists in preparation for the anticipated release date. Whether it is to ‘sip on some cocktails at my favourite bar’, ‘go for a Saturday morning brunch’ or ‘buy that jacket I’ve wanted for ages’ I hope you will all be aiming to spend locally.
When the bunting is up and the doors are flung open again our high street and seafront will need your help to recover after weeks and months of struggles. Whether you are looking to spend in our independent businesses or our national ones, just make sure you are doing it in person when this troublesome time is over. If you head into the stores, cafes and pubs rather than opting for online you will be helping to shorten the recovery period for the town and keep it a vibrant space at the heart of the community. We’ve all seen the way communities have rallied around each other in the last few weeks, supporting neighbours and friends, helping the more vulnerable. When the time comes let’s pull this community spirit into the ‘after coronavirus’ phase and make the most of what our town has to offer.
In the meantime however you can still support your local businesses by using their online platforms. Many of your favourite eateries are using delivery services to bring you your favourite meals for example you can get a waffle from Creams on Just Eat and The Gleneagles are delivering their own Afternoon Tea. But it’s not all about eating. If you’re looking to keep healthy then our gyms are now operating services to keep you fit in lockdown like Energie Fitness providing an online fitness and personal training programme. Keep an eye out for our page that is launching on Visit Southend soon which will signpost all of these options from our Southend businesses.
If you are not looking to spend right now then there are still simple ways to support your local businesses. Like their social pages and share their posts so that they can widen their audience, or spend your time to give positive write ups of them on review sites. Not only would it give business owners something to smile about in these hard times, it would also help boost sales. According to a report by Forbes, 90% of people read online reviews before visiting a business so this support may seem small but it certainly is mighty.
- Suzanne Gloyne