These are tough times for the high street. The recession, the internet and out of town shopping have all contributed to a slump in traditional retail sales. In 2009 UK output in the retail sector fell by 10% year on year. Since then, the data has got better and now suggests that there is increased footfall and fewer empty shops than a year ago. But has the Isle Of Wight turned the corner yet? And as the supermarkets increase their presence here, what does that mean for small businesses?
At first glance, Easy Weigh on Pyle Street in Newport is a business that seems to have hardly changed since Graham and Brenda Sutcliffe began trading in 1986.
They still sell dried fruit, homebrew kits and herbs and spices. If you only want to buy a single egg, you can do that here. For larger quantities there’s a home delivery service too.
“We have enjoyed most of our 28 years,” Graham says, “and most of the recessions weren’t too tough. This most recent one has been horrendously difficult though and the last three years haven’t been our best. We have more competition around us now. The supermarket ‘big-guys’ borrow our ideas and take the profit away from us. It’s not been easy. The closure of well-established businesses like Beavis is dreadful. The supermarkets offer convenience and unfortunately people do go elsewhere. Many things that we sell are actually cheaper here than in the supermarkets. We’re all doing our utmost in town but isn’t a level playing field with the out-of-town stores.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is Easy Weigh’s most popular item. When they opened, their biggest seller was prunes. In 2014, it still is. “We sell a second variety now,” Graham grins. “We do keep the Island regular.” Homebrew is now proving popular with a younger market and Graham is keen to encourage them, as well as the “more senior element.” There’s also a popular saver stamps scheme, launched in 1998, that encourages repeat visitors.
“The TV cookery programs are fantastic too,” Graham says. “If we could only get a preview of what they’re doing it would be brilliant because we’d make sure that we had all the spices and herbs that they were using. Until two years ago nobody wanted smoked paprika. Now we can’t get enough of it! The spices are definitely keeping us going at the moment.”
Despite tough times and an uncertain future for the British high street Graham is still positive about his own town in 2015.
“Newport could be the most magnificent town going. We have numerous small shops and we haven’t been completely taken over by the big guys. In cities you’re unlikely to meet anybody who owns the shop. In Newport you are meeting the people who own and run the business. I don’t like change and I don’t think it’s inevitable. In 2015, we’d like to survive as a business and of course we’d like more custom. I’d like to see us flourish for another 28 years.”
