Mansfield and Ashfield traders looking forward to seeing customers again after tough year

It has been a tough time for traders in Mansfield and Ashfield since coronavirus struck but some are weathering the storm whilst others have seen a boost.
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And now ahead of Small Business Saturday this weekend, they are asking locals to support them like never before.

One of the oldest businesses in Sutton is Lesley Armson’s florest shop - ‘Flowers by Lesley.’

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Situated at the Jubilee Buildings, Outram Street, the shop has been trading for 32 years. It was initially at the precinct for five years, before moving.

Small business feature. Flowers by Lesley, 5 Jubilee Buildings, Sutton-in-Ashfield. Katie Hemstock, Laura Robertson, Allison Radford and Lesley Armson.Small business feature. Flowers by Lesley, 5 Jubilee Buildings, Sutton-in-Ashfield. Katie Hemstock, Laura Robertson, Allison Radford and Lesley Armson.
Small business feature. Flowers by Lesley, 5 Jubilee Buildings, Sutton-in-Ashfield. Katie Hemstock, Laura Robertson, Allison Radford and Lesley Armson.

The shop has kept its two full time and two part time staff, despite the pandemic. It currently features a stunning Christmas window display and staff are busy with Christmas wreaths.

Lesley said: “It has been a tough time for lots of traders in Sutton. For us it has been much quieter, but we’ve kept going.

"People place their orders by telephone, I don’t use Facebook, but have a Facebook page, I prefer the phone and many of the customers say they like to speak to someone.

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"Of all the years in the town, it’s been a different trading year, we have to do all the social distancing measures to keep people safe. Most of all we missed the banter with customers and look forward to seeing people back again.”

Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.
Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.

Martin Topley, of Martin's Dvd's, Toys and Collectables, on Low Street, has a family run shop selling and trading Dvd's, Blu-Ray, Sci Fi related toys, retro items, toys, collectables and vinyl.

Martin, in business for 20 years, started out as a market trader, with indoor stalls at Chesterfield and Sutton, and has been in his shop for four years,

He said: “Trade has been dead, many businesses have struggled, and for a long time before Covid, that was just another kick in the teeth.

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"The council hasn’t spent the money it has on the town, another nail in the coffin was the Barclays and Yorkshire banks closing, fewer people have a reason to walk down the street.

Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.
Small business feature. Martins DVDs - Low St Sutton in Ashfield. Martin Topley.

“We closed when Covid started, reopened back in July August time, when you’d expect to be busy it felt like 8am on a Sunday morning. We missed the November trade, my best time for trade.

“I applied for a £10,000 grant which helped keep us going, and have applied again. It sounds a lot but it doesn’t go far with wages.

“It has been a very trying year. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back. I’m grateful to my customers/friends who have supported me.

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"I appeal to people to please support local businesses especially at this difficult time.”

Guitars and pianos in demand as more people learn instruments during the lockdownsGuitars and pianos in demand as more people learn instruments during the lockdowns
Guitars and pianos in demand as more people learn instruments during the lockdowns

Deborah Goodwin runs Deboutique, at Idlewells Market Hall. She converted two units into a boutique selling ladies ware, fashion accessories, jewellery and shoes.

Deborah’s family run business has been running for 20 months.

Deborah said: “The pandemic massively affected us, it meant we couldn’t celebrate one year in business back in April, we’ve had to put that on ice.

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“We have some lovely customers, hopefully, we’ll get back to where we were. At least during lockdown I was able to develop a website for the shop. We are on Facebook too.”

Deborah’s mum Denise Else formerly ran Something Special on Outram Street, selling ladies fashions and wedding dresses and her grandmother Hilda Else ran Nora Shaws in Mansfield.

"Trading was quite different for my mum and grandma, back in their day.”

Pianos in demand at Mansfield store during pandemicPianos in demand at Mansfield store during pandemic
Pianos in demand at Mansfield store during pandemic

Strangely, for one Mansfield business Covid 19 has struck a more harmonious chord.

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Sherwood Phoenix pianos, at The Works, Rosemary Street, has seen a massive increase in trade as the lockdowns have inspired more people to learn to play instruments.

Paul Crosbie, from the company, said: "It has been incredible, trade has massively increased during the pandemic, technically we are not open yet, but we’ve already sold about five pianos today alone.

“We saw it coming this time, we’ve stocked up as much as we can. We have seen an increase online and by phone, but we have the feeling when we open our doors it is going to be like World War three.

"We also sell guitars, and we know that if people want a Fender guitar it would take a couple of days to order, but now it can take several months, Fenders are in huge demand.

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"Guitars and pianos are really selling. I think people are scared of being stuck in the house or promise themselves to learn an instrument while they are inside.

“The last few days have been crazy, October and November is usually busy, but December is usually dead, but it’s quite different this time.

"We have had ups and downs, but been quite busy during the lockdown, unusually busy.”

To stay safe, when the shop reopens for people to try instruments, an appointment system has been put in place to cope with demand.