It was good to see residents getting out and about to support local businesses last week, as shops re-opened from the lockdown restrictions.
New data from Revolut (a digital financial services company) shows that overall spending in Esher and Walton on Monday was 53% higher than a normal pre-lockdown Monday. Spending on the high street was up by 126%, and pub spending was at almost 110% of normal levels. This is welcome news for our high streets, which have experienced a very difficult few months.
As businesses re-open, there is also new financial support available from the government. The new Restart Grants scheme launched earlier this month, with Elmbridge allocated £6.8m to make grants of up to £18,000 to eligible local businesses. The Recovery Loan Scheme has also opened, offering loans of anything from £25,000 to £10 million.
With the restrictions eased and this new support in place, I’m looking forward to getting out again to visit high streets across the borough.