Southend Business Improvement District (BID) is asking customers to use the click and collect services of businesses if they are shopping online or wary of returning to the shops this festive period.
A significant number of customers around the country have still not returned to their high street shopping habits and the continued changes in safety measures and restrictions caused by the national rise in COVID-19 cases suggests that this is unlikely to change any time soon.
“If customers would prefer to avoid their usual big day of present shopping this Christmas, then a great way to support their local high street and businesses is to opt to ‘click and collect’ if shopping online. This will conveniently allow them to quickly pop into town to pick up their goods from each store in one bundle without having to search the aisles.” said Suzanne Gloyne, Southend BID Manager.
“There are a range of independents now offering the service and national chains allocate collection sales to the local store. If you’re not planning to head in for a day of shopping right now then opting for collection ensures your high street businesses are supported for the longer term and will still be here when we overcome this pandemic. So let’s all support local jobs and businesses this Christmas time by shopping locally in Southend.”
Southend BID has worked with other representatives from shopping districts across the borough to put together a list of retailers that are offering Click and Collect services which can be found at www.visitsouthend.co.uk/shopping/click-and-collect.aspx.
You can also take advantage of the current parking promotions in which you can park for free on Sundays or after 4pm on Thursdays until Christmas, or buy a 1 hour parking ticket and get 1 hour free until 31st March 2021, find out the details here: www.southend.gov.uk/freeparking.