How Colchester town centre has survived one year of lockdowns

Coronavirus has completely changed the way we live our lives.

As well as more than 125,000 deaths being linked to the condition, we've faced three national lockdowns, Tier 4 restrictions and countless disruption to our day to day lives across Colchester.

The effect on our businesses has been great - and nowhere is this seem more than in Colchester town centre.

Our Colchester Business Improvement District manager Sam Good sums the past year up with one word - "nightmare".

But despite the difficulties of the past 12 months, Mr Good says he is still hopeful on the future of the town centre.

He said: "It has been a nightmare, there's no other way to put it.

"But I think it is a testament to the strength of the businesses which are still going and the fact residents still want their town centre.

"The town centre generally is strong."

Martin Leatherdale manages Lion Walk Shopping Centre, in the town.

Lion Walk Shopping Centre

He said: "Navigating the turbulence over the last year in relation to Covid-19 has been a journey in retail like no other.

"Through the strain and uncertainty that colleagues and businesses have faced, there have also been many moments of learning and encouragement.

"Reflecting back over the last year I can say that we have witnessed resilience, tenacity, agility, and community spirit like never seen before."

In early March 2020, no one knew what a "lockdown" was.

But exactly a year ago today the country was put under the first national lockdown.

Britain ground to a halt as residents did their bit to stop the spread of Covid.

But this meant shops were forced to shop, the first major blow for Colchester town centre traders in a turbulent 12 months.

Read more:

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Mr Leatherdale said even during these early days, business' ingenuity shone through.

He said: "We came together as a community to keep the public safe and raise over £5,000 for the production of essential equipment for frontline NHS workers.

"We then reopened with a safety strategy that was regarded as the ‘gold standard’ by Essex Police Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston.

"Many of our businesses successfully adapted to new channels of operating, such as e-commerce, and we unlocked the potential of new, Covid-19 safe, immersive experiences such as the summer drinks terrace.

"Despite the uncertainty, we also welcomed new retailers, maximising occupancy, testament to the optimism towards the future out of the pandemic."

Eerily quiet - Colchester High Street

Reopening in June went better than expected, and Colchester saw strong returning footfall as residents moved to support their town centre.

But in November news of a second national lockdown arrived and fears of a slump for traders in their most important trading period of the year were raised.

Mr Leatherdale said: "All was not lost, upon reopening in December many retailers enjoyed their best ever days sales on the super Saturday, December 5.

"We were also able offer our most immersive ever Christmas experience with the launch of the Christmas Winter Garden.

"Even more testament to the diligence of the local community, by the extension of remaining in Tier 2, unlike London and much of Essex."

The reprieve was somewhat short lived, however, and from Boxing Day all non-essential retailers in the town were forced to close as Colchester entered Tier 4.

And in January, we entered the third national lockdown period, which we remain in today.

Reopening, this time hopefully for good, is not too far over the horizon, but Mr Good said the town centre had been irreversibly changed by the experience of the pandemic.

He said: "We have to realise Covid has sped up change of town centres and they will never go back to what they were five or ten years ago.

"We have to evolve and change with the times.

"Retail will always be a thing but it will probably be different moving forward.

"Our businesses have done so well to adapt and survive.

"People still obviously want their town centre to be strong or many wouldn't still be here."

Topshop in Lion walk Shopping Centre

Colchester town centre's change is likely to be accelerated more than most.

Just over £18 million has been secured as part of the Government's Town Deal fund and changes are already underway at the likes of St Nicholas Square and the old Queen Street First bus depot.

And both Mr Good and Mr Leatherdale agree the town is well placed to recover from a crisis like no other.

Mr Good said: "There is huge investment coming to the town centre over the next six months and coming years with the Towns Fund cash and other schemes.

"I do believe all of it coming together demonstrates this is an exciting time for Colchester town centre."

Mr Leatherdale added: "I have every confidence the future is bright, and as the science leads us towards a new normal, our learnings from the pandemic have shown us that we have an incredible community, buoyant and agile businesses, and a deeper understanding of the need for experiential and immersive shopping experiences in the town centre.

"We look forward to seeing you soon."