Buy local and let’s get Hartlepool back to business

Published Friday, 12th June 2020

With many shops around the country allowed to reopen from Monday 15th June provided they are COVID-19 safe, people in Hartlepool are being urged to help the local economy recover by ‘buying local'.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “It has always been really important for people to ‘buy local’ whenever possible to support the local economy, but never more so than now as more shops start to re-emerge from lockdown and valiantly work to repair the damage wrought by the Coronavirus pandemic. Shopping locally will be vital to that recovery.

“People should also feel confident about being safe when they are shopping, which is why we have been working closely with Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, retail parks, the shops at Seaton Carew and other shopping areas where there is high footfall – our teams have been out giving advice to retailers on social distancing arrangements and identifying what, if any, additional work is needed to manage that.

“Shoppers themselves also have a crucial role to play by maintaining their own social distancing at all times and abiding by the social distancing arrangements which the shops are putting in place.

“A trip to the shops may take a bit more time, but if we all follow the rules and are patient and understanding, things will run much more smoothly and we can all stay safe. It’s vital that we all pull together to help Hartlepool get back to business.”

Janice Auton, the founder of Poppys Hairdressing in Hartlepool and Stockton, works closely with the Totally Locally campaign in Hartlepool – a network of independent businesses sharing ideas and encouraging people to buy locally.

Although her business is one of those which isn’t yet permitted to open under the national regulations, she is very clear about the way ahead. 

She said: “As we move forward through the impact of COVID-19, the success of the Hartlepool economy unquestionably relies on you, the people of Hartlepool, supporting all your local shops.

“This in turn secures the employment of many local people like you or your family and friends and may also give your children an opportunity of a great career.

“As they prepare for reopening, shops in Hartlepool are busy making their businesses a safe environment for both staff and customers.

“So please stay safe by following the social distancing rules and let’s all play our part in helping the Hartlepool economy move forward.”