The Cornish holiday hotspot of Newquay is confident it will bounce back as a "healthy and buoyant town centre" one the coronavirus lockdown is ended.
The seaside town’s business improvement district (BID) team believes the resort has so much to offer that recovery from weeks of shop and hospitality closures will happen successfully.
Carla Marie Jones, Newquay BID manager, said it is too soon to say how everything will slot into place and it is likely that the lockdown will be eased off gradually over the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce how the lifting of lockdown restrictions will be managed when he makes an address on Sunday, May 10.
It is thought he will announce a phased "roadmap" which may not see pubs and restaurants opening again until the end of August, obviously causing a major problem for a seasonal holiday destination such as the South West.
However, Newquay's BID remains optimistic that a "town-wide approach" to economic recovery together with help from local authorities and partner organisations including Newquay Town Council, Cornwall Council, the LEP and local working groups is the key.
Ms Jones said: “We are currently awaiting on Government guidance to be announced over the coming weeks and then we will be able to determine a strategy going forward.
“We understand that the restrictions are likely to be lifted in phases and it will be quite some time until we can return to a new side of ‘normal’ but we are confident that Newquay will bounce back to a healthy and buoyant town centre trading environment in the future.“
"Many businesses have adapted in the face of adversity and shown how innovative and resilient they are and can be, which we hope continues to shine through into the future.
"Being adaptable throughout this pandemic has benefited these businesses greatly and the creativity shown has been remarkable.
”The whole country is still waiting to find out what the reopening process will look like but at the moment and until then, the BID team said its priority remained to support businesses, ensuring they are provided with all possible information on the support and financial measures available to them."
Ms Jones said Newquay BID is working with other BIDs in Cornwall to share best practice, advice, so there is a county-wide recovery strategy in place that benefits everyone in Cornwall at once.
She added: “Rest assured, Newquay BID will work with partner organisations to make sure Newquay gets the footfall boost when visitors and residents can return to the town, our focus is currently continuing to raise the profile of the innovative businesses who are currently pivoting their services and models to continue to survive.
“If any Newquay businesses have any ideas about what they would like to see, or proactive opportunities where we can be further supporting and helping, please get in touch.
“We are continuing to encourage businesses to complete the Covid-19 business impact survey for Cornwall, as results will be shared with the Government to help inform business support measures, and therefore support the revival of our high street in the longer term.”
Cllr Louis Gardner, deputy mayor of Newquay, added: “The current pandemic has brought out the true spirit of community in the residents of Newquay. I have been truly amazing by the acts of kindness, compassion and generosity that are occurring throughout the town.
"Businesses, groups and individuals in all walks of life continue to put the welfare of others before themselves. Residents of Newquay should be proud of the way have adapted and overcome in the face of adversity.”
Newquay BID, as part of the South West BIDs is involved into two lobbying campaigns so businesses are all helped at this difficult time.
National TimeOut Campaign is a proposal which asks for an immediate nine-month rent payment freeze for tenants, in conjunction with mortgage payment / loan repayment holiday for landlords with both charges being added to the end of the lease period by lease extension.
Meanwhile Raise the Bar Campaign is a proposal which asks to expand the rateable value threshold for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from £51,000 to any business with a rateable value up to and including £150,000, allowing more businesses the opportunity to access the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
The survey for businesses to complete is available here
