Businesses such as clothing and homeware retailers, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, tobacco and vape stores, charity shops and car washes will be able to resume in-store trading alongside pubs and restaurants (for outdoor dining and drinking only), hairdressers and beauty salons, gyms, libraries, and indoor leisure centres. 

To support our local retailers we would like to get their views on what will help their recovery. We have commissioned Retail Revival, a specialist business support organisation, who will be speaking to retail businesses across different areas of the borough, including Blackheath Standard, Charlton Village, Eltham, Plumstead and Wilton Road, Abbey Wood. 

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Council, said: 

“Small and independent businesses need our support more than ever. With non-essential shops shut for nearly four months the pandemic has accelerated the growth of online sales. Retailers across the borough have adapted well and made use of click-and-collect services however, many are still grappling with the prospect of big shifts in consumer buying and spending habits. We want to know what they think the Council can do to help them become more resilient.” 

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy & Skills, said: 

“Our high streets are open for business. With more people working from home this is the perfect opportunity to promote Royal Greenwich’s smaller neighbourhood shopping areas and give them the boost that they deserve.  

“When you shop locally, not only are you helping a small and independent business benefit from increased sales, you’re also contributing to more money being kept in the local community and helping these businesses to continue to provide local jobs.” 

As part of Shop Local, the Council will be launching a pilot retail directory-style website for the Plumstead area so that so shoppers can find out who is open, contact details, opening hours and if services such as click and collect are available. It will be free for businesses to be included. If successful, the plan is for a similar local website to be rolled out for retailers in each of the town centres in due course. 

The Council’s Shop Local campaign will run alongside Visit Greenwich’s work to complement the wider visitor economy recovery to help people to get information on places to eat, what’s on and offers. 

In addition to supporting retailers to reopen the Council is also supporting hospitality businesses with the launch of Royal Greenwich Street Eats. They are places where you can enjoy food and drinks purchased from your favourite participating pubs and restaurants that will be popping-up around the borough from 12 April onwards when hospitality businesses can reopen for outdoor dining.    

Face masks and social distancing will still be mandatory in shops.

Take part 

If you run a retail business and have suggestions for the Council or would like to be part of this scheme as it rolls out, please contact: Shoplocal@royalgreenwich.gov.uk 

If you run a business that is re-opening please let us know by taking a photo or filming yourself outside your shop and we will promote you on the Council’s social media channels. Email: media.desk@royalgreenwich.gov.uk