Mayor of Bognor Regis sends message to residents as second national lockdown begins

The country is back in lockdown from today (Thursday) in a bid to curb infection rates and protect the NHS. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new four-week national lockdown at the weekend as Covid-19 cases continue to rise at a concerning rate.

It is due to be in place until December 2 and people are being asked to stay at home unless for specific purposes – such as childcare, exercise, buying food, or if you cannot work from home.

All the places in Chichester and Bognor Regis which will have to close during second lockdownTown mayor, Phil Woodall, said: “I feel that this second lockdown will have a serious effect on our local economy and small businesses within our small town.

"I urge people that once this current lockdown is over, we all try to support local businesses as much as possible to help them through these difficult times, and hopefully survive, when we come out of this new lockdown.”

Former Bognor Regis BID chairman Paul Wells owns Unique Workwear in London Road, which will have to shut during lockdown.

He said: “We are reverting back to our home delivery service, click and collect. People can shop through our website again so can still buy from us. Like all retailers, it’s a critical trading time for us in the lead up to Christmas. It’s Christmas trade which we are not going to get this year.

“We encourage everybody to support local busineses where they can. It’s crucial to small businesses.”

Matt Stanley, chairman of the council’s policy and resources committee, insisted that the town ‘will bounce back’.

He added: “Clearly the announcement of a second national lockdown will present some challenges for the town, and again it looks like the retail, hospitality and leisure industries will be hardest hit.

“Our town centre has always been well served by a selection of strong independent businesses and it is vital we continue to support them."

Councillor Stanley said the pandemic has 'highlighted the need for us to continue to diversify our economy'.

He said the town council is also keen to make the town centre, and local shopping parades, 'as attractive and welcoming as possible'.

"We have started to nurture the creative and digital industries through the creative digital hub ‘The Track’, located within Bognor Regis Railway Station, and the University of Chichester," he said. "I would like to see us continue to invest here.

"Personally, I am pleased to see the Saltbox site being delivered which will provide some much-needed employment opportunities moving forward.

"Recently we have committed £10,000 to a light projection display in the town centre over the Christmas period. We are also providing £5,000 to the West End Traders to fund their Christmas decorations, as well as helping to fund the three-hour free parking scheme to the end of the year.

“We have a unique offering in Bognor Regis, our town, our high street and our community are very special indeed. We will bounce back.”

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