JAMES GRUNDY - Economic optimism for the future

Slowly, gradually, because of the sacrifices everyone has made, we are treading the path back to normality.

On Monday, June 15, shops classed as ‘non-essential’ started to reopen.

I visited Leigh town centre to pop in to the fantastic indoor market, closed for the better part of three months.

Sadly, three stalls had decided to shut up shop, and will not be returning to continue trading.

Others, though, were optimistic, having managed as best they could, doing home delivery and online sales, and quite a few will be continuing these hybrid services for some time to come.

There were still concerns about whether the rents that Wigan Council are charging for stalls were sustainable in the long term, but many were glad just to be back.

I should also pay tribute to the staff on hand to ensure social distancing.

The market has been organised into a one way system, so that you enter via Gas Street and exit via the Spinning Gate shopping centre.

The staff were helpful and polite, offering advice and directions to the many old folk returning to support the market traders.

I urge everyone to do their bit by visiting Leigh Market to support the small businesses fighting to get back on their feet. Use it or lose it, as the saying goes.

Aside from my visit to the market, I paid a visit to the town centre itself.

While quite a few shops were still not quite ready to reopen, it was a remarkably bustling place.

It almost reminded me of the feeling you have when winter turns into spring, with people suddenly appearing in the formerly abandoned town centre as though they were snowdrops suddenly appearing through melting snow.

Whilst life has returned to the town centre, and many shops that can be open have taken the opportunity to restart their businesses, there are many people who still await the all clear to go back to work.

Pubs and restaurants, tanning and nail salons, travel agents and the firms that rely on them, and of course, hairdressers and barbershops.

All these people will have to wait a bit longer before it is safe for them to return to work.

I have raised the concerns of these businesses that remain affected by the lockdown with the Government, and I feel strongly that we must continue to support them for as long as is necessary.

Thankfully, the Government feels the same way, and has recently considerably extended the period in which the various support schemes will remain available.

I am sure that these businesses too, when able to reopen, will have willing crowds of customers ready to support them, just as the public are flocking to the businesses that reopened this week.

I think many of us are looking forward to a pint down the local and I, for one, have never been looking forward to a haircut so much in my entire life given the very warm weather we are currently experiencing.

The ‘mountain man’ look I have been sporting will have to go, as soon as the barbershops open their doors.

Referring back to my earlier comments, it seems odd to be talking about winter in this sweltering heat, but in many ways, we are exiting a winter of sorts.

Personally, economically, and psychologically, it has been winter for us all. I think many of us are hoping that, as we exit the bitter winter of lockdown, we will enter a spring that brings economic recovery and optimism for the future.