Selfridges, London
By 5pm yesterday footfall was up 146.2% week on week, reported retail analyst Springboard. High street footfall jumped by 174.4% on the previous week, while shopping centre footfall soared by 217.4% and footfall at retail parks increased by 9.8%. We had a very busy reopening day across our stores nationwide and it s been fantastic to see our store staff and customers again,” said Ian Watson, CEO of Hotter Shoes. “Our footfall was higher than previous lockdown reopenings, demonstrating a real boost of confidence for the high street.
Paul Hayes, CEO at Seasalt, said: “Overall, sales were promising yesterday, and we saw queues form outside 50% of our stores. Our customers were feeding back how happy they were to see us open again – they had certainly missed us and the ability to shop on the high street. Fitting rooms being open once again is a big positive, and helping to drive conversion and reduce returns.
Applications to the fund will open next month. It will provide businesses with under 500 employees access to grants of up to £2,000. The funding can be used to access training relating to the customs process, the completion of customs declarations, how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems, specific import and training on VAT and rules of origin.
Debra McCann, owner of lifestyle boutique The Mercantile London, said she would look into taking advantage of the grant but has called for more clarity on the new regulations.
“We need some clearer guidance because at the moment it feels like the blind leading the blind, there is information there but it is not very clear and nobody seems to know what they are doing. It has created massive delays so it is just a watch-and-wait scenario.
Published:
2:00 PM January 6, 2021
Precious Soles owner Peter Varnavas has launched a petition to have trained footwear fitters recognised as providers of healthcare support services.
- Credit: Danny Loo
With another national lockdown, a specialist medical shoe fitters is demanding the government recognise trained footwear fitters as an essential service and has launched a petition.
Peter Varnavas, who runs Precious Soles in Potters Bar, created the petition to ensure his service is recognised as essential, because of its specialist and medical nature.
Peter said of the move: “There are many common lower limb health issues which can very negatively impact on people’s health, no matter what age, although these problems are exacerbated as we grow older, obviously. But being able to move well, mobility in general and being able to exercise safely is vitally important to everyone’s health.
Precious Soles in Potters Bar
- Credit: Precious Soles
A Potters Bar shoe shop has claimed its vulnerable customers have been left in tears after it was forced to close due to the Tier 4 restrictions that came into force on Sunday.
Peter Varnavas, who set up his business in 2002 to address the lack of medically-based footwear providers in the UK, said it was rubbish his company Precious Soles is restricted to click and collect .
He explained: “Because of Tier 4 restrictions we have been forced to close over the Christmas period, but our phones are still ringing off the hook with demand for well-fitting shoes and our medical services.