“Very quickly shops will start to close down” - Business owners’ fears for Halifax town centre

Kirsty Stansfield, who owns Le Munch Bunch sandwich shop, says town centre businesses are struggling to survive due to the coronavirus pandemic, because fewer people are working in offices and using nearby shops.

She fears the town centre will become run down and has written to Calderdale Council, calling on them to take action before it’s too late.

She said: “The barriers around town and the temporary bus stop on Northgate are really not helping town centre businesses. We are all really struggling, I’m not sure if the council realise just how much.

“Having lived in Halifax all my life I can honestly say that in the last few years what the council has done to improve the town has been brilliant. We have a lot to be proud of in the town and a lot of hard work has gone in to making it this way.”

Kirsty says there aren’t enough people in the town centre to warrant barriers being there, and wants the council to encourage workers to return to their town centre offices.

“The town relies on them. Businesses rely on them nipping out in their lunch or on their way to and from work.

“I appreciate people have got grants but after overheads there is nothing left.

“We speak to other businesses on a daily basis and we are not alone with these views.

“We have worked hard for 11 years for our business to be destroyed in seven weeks.

“There are going to be so many shops close and job losses if we don’t get footfall back into town.

“People working from home will just order online, their habits will change and very quickly shops will start to close down.

“This will then have an affect on the council and the town centre will become run down. Who wants Halifax and surrounding towns to turn in to ghost towns?”

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion, said: “COVID-19 will be with us for some time and our immediate concern is to bring the infection rate down in the borough.

“Homeworking limits the risk of COVID-19 in the workforce and the whole community. Like many organisations across the country during the outbreak, the Council has moved to homeworking as a key feature of the new normal for the majority of its workforce. Over 1,200 Council staff are working from home, and this is set to continue for the time being.

“To ensure our towns and local communities are as safe as possible we’ve implemented a number of safety measures aimed at giving people the confidence to go out and spend money in our local area. This includes the expansion of pavements, to create a safe environment and support social distancing. However, we know that placing barriers isn’t the most attractive way to do this and we’re currently looking for a more aesthetic option.

“We know this is a difficult time for businesses and we continue to do what we can to help our local economy recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

“We’ve processed over £58million worth of business grants, supporting over 5000 local businesses. In addition to this, our discretionary grants scheme has already awarded funding to over 200 businesses totalling over £1.3 million and we are currently working through the remaining applications to use all the funding provided to us for this scheme.

“Going forward, investment in our towns is a vital part of the economic recovery process from COVID-19 and there are ambitious regeneration plans in place in Calderdale’s towns.

“Our Next Chapter portfolio encompasses a number of schemes across the borough; all designed to enable economic growth, reduce inequalities and build a sustainable future. This includes major investment in our transport network, with significant funding from the West Yorkshire-Plus Transport Fund.

“The completion of the Trinity Sixth Form Academy - Calderdale’s brand new, state-of-the-art sixth form centre in Halifax town centre, will also provide a boost for footfall in the town. 600 sixth form students are due to start using the new building in September 2020, marking the start of an exciting new era for learning in Calderdale, and a major milestone in the borough’s wider regeneration.

“Halifax is also included in the shortlist for the Government’s multi-million Future High Streets fund, aimed at transforming the high street. Our plans look to better connect the features of the towns and harness their potential to grow and flourish, whatever the future brings.

“We know the years ahead won’t be easy and with the virus still circulating in our communities, the immediate future is uncertain. However, we will continue to do everything we can to support our local communities. I know that the challenges ahead with be faced with the borough’s usual kindness and resilience.”