CORNWALL’S Chamber of Commerce says the green shoots of recovery are beginning to be felt by businesses in the county – and its leader is urging everyone to shop locally, and stay safe to keep the Duchy in Tier One.
On December 2, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly joined the Isle of Wight in being the only regions categorised as Tier 1 in the post lockdown2 Covid19 tier system.
Chief Executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce Kim Conchie puts the Duchy’s medium risk level down to the strength of its unitary authority status, and to the fact that the local authority, organisations and businesses all pulled together back in March to come up with a plan.
Over the last week, the Duchy has come back to life with businesses opening their doors again just in time for the Christmas rush.
“The excitement has been palpable here in Cornwall as locals have enjoyed a mulled wine in a café after a walk, Christmas meals out with friends, or popped into a small independent shop to buy their Christmas presents,” he said.
After a bumper summer, Cornwall’s hospitality and tourism sectors still need to take every opportunity possible in order to begin recovering from the months either side of the summer season when they weren’t allowed to trade.
Over the last month, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has ramped up its #choosecornish campaign to get locals to source their Christmas presents and supplies locally. It has also encouraged people to go for that Christmas drink or socially distanced meal, now that they are able to.
Conchie adds: “Businesses in Cornwall are feeling energised and extremely humbled to have been given this opportunity in the run up to Christmas that so many businesses throughout the UK haven’t.
“The general consensus from our members is that they are recruiting, rather than laying off. The green shoots of recovery are beginning to be seen.”
Cornwall Chamber believes a careful balance must now be struck between Cornwall enjoying its Tier 1 status and risking the status being changed.
Conchie said: “We are feeling very fortunate but there is definitely an undertone of caution to our excitement here in Cornwall.”
“The last thing we want to do is have our tier status changed. We must all be careful and give the Duchy the very best chance of getting through this pandemic in good shape.”