Steps taken to help Falkirk High Street shops preparing to reopen

Enticing shoppers to Falkirk’s High Street has been a tough ask in recent years – one made all the more difficult by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Boarded-up shop fronts were a common sight in the heart of the town long before retailers were ordered to close by the Scottish Government three months ago.

However, with non-essential stores – those with outdoor entrances and exits – having received the go-ahead to reopen as of Monday after lockdown restrictions were loosened, there is a sense among the business community of there being some light at the end of the tunnel.

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Falkirk Delivers, the town’s business improvement district (BID), has been providing members with online and telephone advice throughout the lockdown period to help retailers stay afloat during these unprecedented times.

All Cleaned Up Scotland workers have been hired by Falkirk Delivers to help spruce up the town’s High Street as shops prepare to re-open. Picture: Michael Gillen.All Cleaned Up Scotland workers have been hired by Falkirk Delivers to help spruce up the town’s High Street as shops prepare to re-open. Picture: Michael Gillen.
All Cleaned Up Scotland workers have been hired by Falkirk Delivers to help spruce up the town’s High Street as shops prepare to re-open. Picture: Michael Gillen.

The BID has also devised a plan which it hopes will help retailers to get back on their feet by driving footfall into the centre of the town.

Key to this is ensuring adequate safety measures are in place to protect shoppers and store workers from Covid-19.

Along with environmental health at Falkirk Council, the team has come up with an action plan which will allow members of the public to queue outside of premises in line with social distancing rules while keeping two metres apart from customers of neighbouring shops.

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After taking on board the results of a survey of consumers, new planters are also being introduced in an attempt to rejuvenate the appearance of High Street.

And, to create extra room, Falkirk Delivers has arranged for a disused space in nearby Fleshmarket Close to be transformed into a “spill out” zone for shop staff to stretch their legs or take a break outside.

For all the work that has taken place behind the scenes, Elaine Grant, BID manager, believes the return of shoppers to the town centre will be the most heartening sight for business owners.

She said: “For the smaller independent retailers this is some welcome news because they’re able to trade.

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“Many of them have been trading quite resourcefully via delivery and click and collect services and this will allow them to welcome people back into the store.

“The smaller retailers haven’t been getting footfall so they’ve been taking the High Street to people’s doors.

“Some are offering gift wrapping and the baby shops are putting items in gift bags and delivering. Some are writing out cards and posting them for people.

“Businesses are trying to trade the best they can under the circumstances.”

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The sprucing up of Falkirk town centre is also much-needed according to Elaine, who is eager for visitors to feel as welcome as possible despite the lingering constraints of coronavirus.

She added: “We did a High Street survey and 44 per cent said on their return they would like to see it looking a bit more green and the cleanliness increased.

“Our handyman is getting on top of the weeding and we’ve got a team to clear out the planters and put fresh bedding plants in.

“At the moment we’ve been told it’ll take a few weeks because community groups are unable to maintain them due to Covid-19.

“It’s to add a bit of life back into the High Street.”

To get in touch with the BID team call 01324 611293, visit www.falkirkdelivers.com or email [email protected].