1. Chamberlink May 1-26.qxp_Chamberlink 29/04/2021 09:29 Page 6
Business News
Business bouncing back
Get Shopping! Retail therapy ready to This month Chamberlink focuses on how Birmingham city centre and surrounding towns are preparing to open up after the Covid-19 lockdowns. It picks up on the highly successful Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce campaign ‘Keep Business Moving’. Chamberlink reporters JESSICA BROOKES and CLAUDIA CONGRAVE have been talking to business leaders, including representatives of the city’s Business Improvement Districts, across the region. Read their reports over the following pages. Jessica Brookes
Claudia Congrave
Pictures: Marc Kirsten By Claudia Congrave s a key part of the economy that accounts for almost 5.1 per cent of the UK GDP, the retail industry has been one of the hardest hit during Covid-19. Following the impact of national lockdowns, the Office for National Statistics reported that total retail sales volumes fell by 1.9 per cent in 2020 compared with 2019, constituting the largest annual fall on record. With the road to recovery in sight, Birmingham’s Retail Business Improvement District (Retail BID) have been hard at work ensuring that the city’s significant retail offering is in the best position to re-open and draw customers back
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over their threshold. Retail BID carried out a big spring clean in March, which included a deep-cleanse of streets in high footfall areas. This was carried out by specialist cleaning company Ramora Ltd, who will continue the regular cleaning programme throughout the summer.
‘I expect customers will be just as excited as we are for retail to open again’ Victoria Square is now a hive of activity as Retail BID, in partnership with Colmore BID and Birmingham City Council, hosts its ‘Summer in
the Square’ initiative to support the city’s leisure and hospitality industry. The square features sociallydistanced seating for 120 people, a band stand for live music and entertainment as well as four beach huts with vendors selling a range of food and drink. The council’s facilitation of Temporary Pavement Licence arrangements will also see a number of pop-up pavement cafes along John Bright Street. David Pardoe, vice-chair of the Retail BID and head of retail and marketing at Mailbox, spoke on the evolution of the shopping experience and the plans to keep people shopping in-store. He said: “Our city’s high street
offering is a huge part of what makes Birmingham so brilliant, and there is a thriving community within the Retail BID that is excited to make its return. “Online experiences over the past 12 months have exposed a basic human need for in-person interactions; research has shown that even trips to the supermarket have been instrumental in combatting loneliness during the pandemic. “So, whether it’s an excuse to catch up with friends after months apart, treat themselves to something new, or just a way to get out of the house and enjoy a change of scenery, I expect customers will be just as excited as we are for retail to open again.
Jewellery Quarter set to sparkle once more By Jessica Brookes Despite Covid restrictions pushing consumers to shop online, there is still a huge appetite to experience the “forgotten art of shopping in person”, according to Luke Crane (pictured), executive director at the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (BID). Like other retail and hospitality hubs across Birmingham, this historic part of the city, famous for its renowned jewellerymaking heritage, has transformed to accommodate outdoor dining and welcome the return of shoppers hunting for a diamond deal. Parking bays in Water Street and St Paul’s Square are being used to create more space for hospitality businesses, and temporary seating has been put in place Golden Square, adjacent to the Chamberlain Clock. The 118-year-old beloved clock, which sits as a landmark in the Jewellery Quarter, has itself undergone a facelift in time for the easing of restrictions. Clockmakers Smith of Derby
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restored the clock to its former glory by treating the cast iron column with new primer and undercoat, a lick of fresh green paint and applied an English gold leaf. Even more plans are afoot to brighten up the area, as works are underway to embed a new eco-garden at the Jewellery Quarter’s railway station. On the roads, in order to accommodate venues which are operating al fresco operations, traffic has been diverted or prohibited in several areas. Small-scale roadworks to prohibit vehicles turning left from Queensway onto Livery Street and to suspend the one-way system in the section between Lionel Street and Queensway have been implemented, to enable businesses to create outdoor hospitality areas within a safe space. Alongside the various projects and logistical acrobatics that the BID have had to perform, Luke paid tribute to venues on their compliance with the new rules. He said: “Our venues have been working hard to adapt to comply with Covid restrictions
and social distancing so their customers can enjoy themselves in safety. These include the installation of perspex screens, sanitisation stations and outdoor furniture.” Luke expects to see more shoppers out in person, as there is huge appetite from consumers, as restrictions ease. He said: “The lockdown has meant that many have had to adapt their shopping sprees to online sales. However, there is a huge appetite to get back out there and experience that forgotten art of shopping in person! “As lockdown restrictions are eased, we think a visit to the Jewellery Quarter will be more about the experience as a whole, and we’ll start to see retail, food and drink and other entertainment begin to be rolled in to one event. The Jewellery Quarter is a tourist destination at the end of the day.” He added: “If people want to continue to enjoy the Jewellery Quarter as a haven of small independents, then they need to come out and support local. “We have over 700 independent retailers in the Quarter all offering the most unique of experiences. It’s so important that shoppers come out and spend with these fantastic traders to ensure the longevity of the Jewellery Quarter and to push our local economy forwards.”
