Independent shops vow to stay open as long as possible as they face uncertain future

Some businesses are already feeling the strain, but others have noticed a boost.

Julie Bridges of The Bear Shop in Weymouth said the shop relies on the tourism trade, which is likely to be greatly impacted by the spread of the virus.

“We are just taking every day as it comes. We are staying open for as long as possible,” she said.

“Last summer wasn’t very successful and we have just got through winter, but no one could have predicted this. One thing is for certain that no one will come on holiday here.

“No one is spending money, they are keeping it in their pockets to spend on necessities.”

Bethany Aston-Joyce, manager at Chalbury Dorset Gifts and Hampers, said that the shop is usually quite quiet so social distancing hasn’t been a problem, but they have had to make slight changes.

She said: “We are staying open for the foreseeable future and we are getting in stock that we don’t normally have, like pasta and eggs. Nearly everywhere has sold out so little shops are trying their best to keep up.”

The impact the virus will have on tourism is also likely to affect the business.

Bethany added: “We usually have an ice cream parlour open [during the summer], but I imagine that will take quite a hit.

“Please come and support independent businesses that are going to struggle a lot more.”

However, the team at Sew ‘n’ Sews has noted that the shop has been busier with people having to spend more time at home, they are picking up fabrics to make clothing or reupholster.

Manager Sarah Hughes said: “We will stay open as long as we can and also deliver fabrics.

“We have been busy. We have been controlling people coming in - one at a time - but people have been in for fabrics for dresses, blouses and upholstery.

“We have been busier, but we are also offering items online that we can send out.

“We are going to stay like this as long as we can, we have had people saying, ‘please stay open’, which is really nice.”