Retailers react to Boris Johnson’s autumn and winter Covid plan

Convenience stores have expressed frustration at the lack of detail for businesses in Prime Minster Boris Johnson’s autumn and winter Covid-19 plan, announced on 14 September.

While ‘Plan A’ is expected to have little impact on stores, ‘Plan B’ could see the re-introduction of mandatory mask wearing and the return of work from home guidance.

Despite predictions for the PM to detail an update on the eviction ban for business owners, it was not mentioned in the Covid plan. The ban on commercial and residential evictions for failure to pay rent owed ends in March 2022, with experts warning of a ‘cliff edge’ for premises which have racked up severe debts to landlords.

Government extends commercial evictions ban

Samantha Coldbeck of Wharfedale Premier Convenience said: “The least the PM can do is mention retailers after the year we have had. Not mentioning rent stability makes it clear that they do not care about it which is causing retailers to worry.

“I know of many retailers who are in positions where they are worried about their rent payments. It is a bit of a red flag that there was no mention at all. Hopefully, like before if we do enter a winter lockdown the public will continue shopping locally and safeguard us retailers.”

Coldbeck also discussed the impact working from home being introduced once again could have for her store, she said: “It will definitely cause us issues, I can already imagine footfall will definitely fall especially for the commuting customers that I receive.”

Government expected to extend commercial evictions ban until 2022

Ravi Raveendran, owner of Colombo Mini Mart in London shared with Better Retailing that early in the pandemic he failed to come to a rent agreement with his landlord.

He said: “My landlord refused to come to a rent agreement with me and even contacted me to pay rent when my store was closed for a few months, and I had no income.

“I believe businesses need to be mentioned by the government, we have not been emphasised politically. The government has to put forward political amendments and we need a proper explanation. Collective support across the business industry is needed to do with rental agreements. Especially if there is risk of another lockdown because I believe many businesses will go under.”