I was reading recently that Saltaire has defied a retail downturn during the pandemic by seeing a surge in popularity in our local shops. It seems many people have discovered the benefits of shopping local, avoiding the big supermarkets in favour of the small, friendly outlets where they have a strict policy of social distancing, only allowing a limited number of shoppers inside at any one time, with many also doing home deliveries. Salts Village Bakery (above - looking warm and inviting on a dull, wet day) often has a queue outside. The Scandi-influenced former coffee shop, Nordish, has adapted to become a bakery too, selling posh Scandi pastries and fancy bread. Edward Street Bakery is opening a new shop up on Gordon Terrace and Binns of Saltaire, the high-quality butcher, has moved to a much larger store in the same row of shops. Binns and their near neighbour The Orange Grove greengrocer and fishmonger started delivering food right at the start of the initial lockdown and I think that gained them some loyal followers. I note that The Orange Grove is currently selling Christmas trees too.
There are a couple of shops (Mr Whetstone and Giddy Arts) retailing eco household products, minimally packaged wholefoods and cooking ingredients. A bit of 'gentrification' going on, perhaps, but it all chimes with the zeitgeist in the village as it becomes home to an increasing number of young professionals and creative types. Of course, we also have a few gift shops like Rad Studio (below), this being to a certain extent a tourist area. After weeks of being closed, I'm sure they must be relieved to be able to open for a couple of weeks prior to Christmas, as that must be when they make the most significant local sales. There was a queue outside!
You have some classy-looking shops in Saltaire. I think a lot of local shops are doing well these days though their idea of what constitutes a safe environment seems to vary wildly.
ReplyDeleteThese little shops look so inviting. We had a Mrs. Binns in Over Lane, Rawdon. She was a kind old lady who sold tiny amounts of mixed sweeties to the children from tall glass jars on the shelf. Tiny, because one penny was all we could afford!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your local shops are open and doing well. I've been keeping an eye on local shops, but the one I'd like to spend more time in is really tiny, and they seem to allow lots of shoppers in at the same time. Wish someone would make them line up and limit how many could be there at a time...but there's just the one proprietor on duty behind the counter.
ReplyDeleteOur small shops are all closed for in store shopping and are able to do curbside pickup only.
ReplyDeleteExcellent shots of these shops.
ReplyDeleteNice to read and see that local stores are doing well in your area. Many in this area are also doing well, and open limited hours now.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that people are shopping locally, it's those businesses that need help the most.
ReplyDeleteShopping local is hugely important to towns like yours and mine. Yes, it is pretty easy to click on Amazon and wait for stuff to arrive at the door, but if we want to continue having local shops and the environment they provide (and the employment they provide), we need to support them, even if it costs a bit more. You have some pretty ones in your town.
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