Following the re-opening of retailers forced to close during the height of the pandemic, Theresa Villiers MP has been out and about in town centres across her Chipping Barnet constituency to encourage people to start shopping again to support local businesses. Her visits have included Whetstone, High Barnet, Hampden Square, East Barnet Village, Friern Barnet and Colney Hatch Lane.
Speaking about her campaign to get people back to the shops, Theresa said: “Barnet is open for business again and we need to head back to our town centres to support local retailers. The Covid lockdown has been tough for small businesses. If we value our high streets, we need to be out visiting them and doing our shopping there.”
“It’s been great to visit businesses like Marie’s Shoes in East Barnet and the new zero waste shop Kronos and Rhea in High Barnet. These independently owned local shops provide brilliant service to their customers and we need to get behind them.”
“Help and support for our local businesses and town centres has always been a vital part of my plan to improve life in my constituency. This is a crucial time to show how much we value our local town centres. And in just a few days time, I hope people will be returning to pubs and restaurants too!”
It is, of course, essential that everyone observes social distancing rules when out shopping, to minimise the risk of a return of Covid-19. The Government has pledged £352,000 to Barnet Council to help people return safely to the shops and promote town centres. Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to re-open from 4th July.
As well as visiting local businesses, the Chipping Barnet MP has also been holding outdoor 'street surgeries' to hear from constituents on issues of concern to them. More conventional indoor surgeries are also resuming soon.
