OPINION: No one can deny internet shopping has been a winner in the Covid-19 crisis – but let's not forget our High Streets

By David Richardson

The small, independent businesses that line our high streets are special.

Quite simply, they have a wealth of great things going for them, not least unusual ranges of goods and services, top quality products, great value-for-money prices, and personal service from caring staff who really do understand their customers. But there’s more, for these businesses also support valuable jobs and help retain younger people in our communities. As has been said so many times before, high streets and their businesses really are the beating hearts of their communities; the places where so many people go, not just to shop and do business, but to meet others and chat in safety. And, of course, vibrant high streets also play major roles in safeguarding their communities’ mental health too.

And this importance is widely accepted, a recent poll of over 1000 people, commissioned by Scotland’s Towns Partnership finding that around nine in ten recognised the importance of supporting high street businesses, acknowledging that there is a strong chance that many will go bust if they aren’t supported. Thankfully, over half said that, whenever possible, they will always shop in their local high streets rather than going further afield. Great news, but the operative words are ‘whenever possible’.

Over the years our high streets have suffered many setbacks, not least the growth in out-of-town shopping, the internet, and the closure of keystone services like council offices, banks and police stations. Moreover, some city centre businesses are also concerned that well-intentioned ‘Places for People’ and ‘Active Travel’ initiatives will make it even harder for customers to reach them, especially the elderly and those forced to drive in from rural areas.

Now Covid-19 has brought a new threat – a reduction in all-important footfall. Predictably, the great winner has been internet shopping, which has flourished. Around 40% of non-food purchases are now being conducted online.

Maintaining thriving and successful communities and avoiding the creation of ghost city and town-centres is vitally important to all our lives. This is why the ‘Scotland Loves Local’ campaign, run by Scotland’s Town Partnership with support from the Scottish Government and Federation of Small Businesses, really does matter.

Scotland Loves Local is a national campaign designed to encourage us all to think local first and support our local town centres and high streets, safely and in line with public health guidelines. No-one wants to spend money, but if we must, let’s spend it in the smaller, independent businesses that play key roles in our communities, and if we must go elsewhere, let's buy from small independents, especially those based in the Highlands & Islands. The importance of doing so for local economies was highlighted in some research on public sector procurement, commissioned by FSB Scotland. It found that every pound spend with a local SME generated an additional 62 pence worth of spend; the same pounds spent with a large business generated only 40 pence of added benefit.

One final point, if you sell goods or services face-to-face and you could also do so through the internet, now is the time to add online sales to your armoury. Ever more businesses are doing so and it’s making a difference to them, so if you can’t beat them, why not join them? Business Gateway runs some excellent courses to help you do just that.

David Richardson is Highlands and Islands development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses. Follow FSB Highlands & Islands on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and views.

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