Encouraging signs Britons ready to return to the high street, says new report.

As of June 15^th,  non-essential shops and retailers will be allowed to reopen in England.  But will consumers be happy or feel safe to return to the high street?  During the lockdown months due to the Covid-19 outbreak, consumers (my household included) have been embracing online purchases as never before. Many in the business and retail sectors predict that the high street will not be the same as before the lockdown.  At least the public will be seen wearing face coverings, as advised by the UK government, especially in enclosed public spaces where you may be more likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet.  

Based on the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the government confirmed face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances.  However face coverings are not a replacement for social distancing and regular handwashing which remain the most important actions, says Chief Medical Officer.

The public is to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces such as shops, trains, buses and all public transports to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, says UK government. 
Mask shown above is from FFSB, created in support of the #Masks4all movement, with 10% of profits from the sales of the masks goes to Young Minds Charity.  The collection comes in eight different designs, packaged in pairs and available in adult and kid sizes.  Mentored by the London fashion company House of Baukjen, FFSB produces up-cycled masks in an ethical and family-run factory in Portugal. All masks are handmade in a double layered, pleated design using 100% soft cotton leftover fabrics and cut-offs and can be worn time and time again. FFSB was launched by four Britons: Frank, Finn, Sebastian and Bela. With their GCSE’s cancelled amidst the pandemic, the students chose to use their exam time to make a difference, take action and show that young people can do something meaningful in these unprecedented times. 

Now new research commissioned by People 1st International provides encouraging signs that Britons are ready to return if the correct measures for health and safety are in place. The findings also highlight that the younger generation will be a driving force when it comes to kick-starting the visitor economy.

Two thousand people aged 18 and above took part in the research, which focuses on the behavioural attitudes and factors impacting a return to leisure activities such as pubs and bars, restaurants, holidays, non-food shopping and visiting local attractions, according to the report published in early June.  (The research was based on an online survey of 2079 people from across the UK carried out by Populus in the third week of May 2020.)

Asked about what would influence their decision to take part in these activities, more than half of respondents cited the importance of the following five factors:

• Crowd levels (69%)
• Ability to social distance (64%)
• Confidence in infection control measures (63%)
• Cleanliness and hygiene (61%)
• Confidence that staff have been trained in these new measures (54%)

Whilst both men and women consider these factors important, women appear to be more cautious. For example, 73% of women are concerned about how crowded a location might be, 66% (women) are concerned about cleanliness and 60% of women want to be confident that staff have been trained in safety and hygiene.
The younger generation (aged 18-24) appear to be spearheading the return, and are by far the most positive across the board, whether that is spending more time with family and friends (60%) planning to eat out more (34%), visit pubs and bars more (30%) or do more outdoor activities (48%).

“It’s not surprising to see the importance that consumers are placing on health and hygiene when it comes to their plans to return to leisure activities. It’s also really encouraging that young people want to go out and seize the day after lock-down. Hopefully their zest for life will help to kick-start the hard-hit hospitality and tourism sectors,” says Jane Rexworthy, Executive Director of People 1st International.  “Staff training to support health and hygiene beyond Covid-19 that’s in line with government guidance is critical to building consumer confidence, which is why we have developed WorldHost 2020, a new e-learning module to empower staff to keep customers and colleagues safe - helping assure business leaders that they can reopen their doors with confidence.”