Newark retailers: Unearth unique finds while helping to protect livelihoods of Newark's independent shops

Coronavirus concerns have led to a decrease in footfall in town centres at a time when the high street faces issues of its own, making it all the more important for the public to show their support, say retailers.

There’s much to discover in Newark and in time of covid crisis you will be helping to protect livelihoods while unearthing unique finds ­— that’s the message from Newark’s independent retailers.

They are urging people to brave the current spike in virus cases in the knowledge that they will be shopping safely and with confidence while also helping businesses stay open and thrive.

Katie Fretwell has owned Ragazza on Middlegate for nearly five years, having shopped there as a teenager, and is a stockist of sustainable and UK-made fashions including Terry Macey ranges.

She said: “If the high street is to survive, we need the small shop.

“Come and support us. One day last week I had just five customers in one whole day, but each left with one, two or three items.

“Shops like ours are 100% safer than supermarkets. We only let two people in at a time unless they are from the same household.

“We value our customers and are friendly. The quality in small shops is always good because you can’t afford to be left with stock and the prices are often bottom line because you need to be competitive.

“Where else would you get service like that?”

Clare Parker is celebrating ten years of a business that started as a stall on Newark market. She built Vintage Vixen, now on Boar Lane, alongside a day job until it reached the point where she could make it pay full-time.

She has also noticed a decrease in footfall recently, putting it down to the necessity for face masks or the recent spike in coronavirus cases in Newark.

“It’s been a tough year. I remember shutting up shop on that Sunday night pre-empting being told to and the fear of what the future held,” said Clare.

“Customers have been very supportive, which has been heartwarming.

“More people are catching on to the vintage way now. They are keener to recycle and some have made pledges not to buy anything new.

“Newark is known as an antique and collectables town, which has helped us.

“Come in. It’s safe to do so. We are our usual cheery selves and still like a good natter.”

Laura Cook, from the family-run furniture and design business in the Old Christ Church, Lombard Street, said: “Here at Kingsman Interiors we thrive on the personal interaction we have with our customers. We get a feel for what they are after and they get a feel who they are buying from.

“We have noticed a slight decrease in footfall coming through Newark and wanted to reassure customers, old and new, that we are doing everything to make people feel comfortable and safe while shopping with us.

“Here at Kingsman Interiors we want people to visit our showroom and to then go on to have a wander around our beautiful town and shop with our fabulous range of independent businesses we have on offer.

“The last thing we want is the high street dying, but we truly believe we have so much to offer here in our town; we just need people to support us as much as they can.”

The owner of Gent menswear shop on Stodman Street said customers were adapting to a new normal.

Jo Pattison, who opened a year ago, said she was limiting the number of customers to four at a time, even though there was space for more.

“That is me being more careful than I need to be,” she said.

“Some people are scared to come out, but once I have got them through the door they love it.”

The shop sells UK-made menswear, including shoes by a Newark designer.

Jo, who was born and raised in and around the town, said she had happy childhood memories of shopping in a busy Newark with her family.

“I would love to see it get back to that,” she said.

Shoppers were queueing outside the Grace Gentle homeware and gift store in Middlegate on Saturday.

Owner Denise Starkey said: “Since I re-opened I have had so many people say they are glad to see us open.”

No more than seven shoppers at a time are allowed in the shop, where Denise and her staff have done all they can to make it covid-secure.

“The footfall is down, I appreciate that, but it is the same all over the UK, not just here. But people are shopping more locally than in the big shopping centres, and I have had people come here from bigger places further afield.”

The shop is operating a one-way system, with customers encouraged to use hand sanitiser, and offered masks if they have forgotten theirs.