South Shields traders answer public doubts over visiting town centre businesses

Our online www.shieldsgazette.com audience was asked a series of questions about how they felt about visiting South Shields town centre and pubs, restaurants and businesses in general as part of our Big Conversation snapshot poll.

Nearly two out of five – 38.5% – said they have visited their local town centre a lot less since the onset of the pandemic while just over one out of five – 20.8% – said they hadn’t visited at all.

A similar figure – 21.9% – were not comfortable eating at cafes or restaurants while just under a third – 31.1% – commented that they were not comfortable about going to shops or libraries.

More than a quarter - 27.4% – said they were not at all comfortable about going to pubs.

A number of pubs across South Tyneside, including The Steamboat, in South Shields, and The Red Hackle, in Jarrow – have told how they have followed Government regulations to make their premises as safe as possible since reopening in July.

Now restaurants and cafes have had their say.

Richard Ord Senior, managing director of Colmans fish and chip restaurant, in Ocean Road, South Shields, said public confidence in dining out was gradually returning until last month’s local lockdown was introduced.

He added: “Our takeaways are doing fine thankfully but the latest restrictions have decimated the restaurant.”

Estimating the business was hundreds of diners a week down on usual levels, he said: “I am all for health and safety, that is paramount, and we have followed the Government’s guidelines so you can come and eat here in safety.

"But somehow we need to get this country back to some sort of normality and keep businesses and industries open.

"Simply closing us down is like kicking the can down the street. Are we simply going to carry on closing down businesses every time there is an increase?”

Originally founded in 1905 as Frankie’s, the business, which employs 65 staff, changed name in 1926 and he is confident it will reach its centenary as Colmans.

Speaking before an anticipated announcement on further lockdown restrictions, Mr Ord Senior, 66, whose family also run Colmans Seafood Temple, in the town’s Sea Road, added: “Two world wars did not stop us and all this will not either.”

Sam Clark, 23, the co-owner of family business Cafe 42, in Chapter Row, South Shields, urged people with concerns about having a cuppa to visit the cafe.

Speaking before any announcement on new restrictions, he said: “I would say come on down and see what we are doing. As soon as customers move we are over to clean the table and chairs on our hands and knees and it reassures people.

"I have had five or six customers come over today to say how pleased they are to see this and it is not just us.

"There are other businesses in town going above and beyond to make sure people stay safe.”

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