Big Conversation Portsmouth: Meet some of the independent Portsmouth businesses your Christmas custom would 'mean the world to'

ron Melton
By ron Melton
Published 12th Oct 2020, 07:00 BST
Updated 12th Oct 2020, 10:13 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
INDEPENDENT traders say it would ‘mean the world’ to them if shoppers live up to their word and buy locally this Christmas.

It comes after The News’ post-lockdown survey, The Big Conversation, found a promising 71.51 per cent of people see the 2020 festive period as a ‘good opportunity’ to support Portsmouth-area businesses.

More than 1,000 people took part in the poll, which helped gauge the city’s mood after months of tough anti-coronavirus restrictions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So-called non-essential shops across Britain faced uncertainty when they were ordered to close in line with the national lockdown on March 23.

Top row, Pigeon Books and the We Create Market. Bottom Row, Liz Penman of Rose Glover and Dinosaur World.Top row, Pigeon Books and the We Create Market. Bottom Row, Liz Penman of Rose Glover and Dinosaur World.
Top row, Pigeon Books and the We Create Market. Bottom Row, Liz Penman of Rose Glover and Dinosaur World.

But they were allowed to reopen on June 15 in a move the business secretary, Alok Sharma, hoped would help the nation’s high streets ‘spring back to life’.

Liz Penman, owner of the plant and pot shop Rose Clover, in Elm Grove, Southsea, branded the survey figures ‘amazing’ at a time when stores like hers are still finding their rhythm after abruptly closing.

‘Hearing that people want to support local this Christmas is music to my ears – that would mean the world to us,’ she told The News.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We’re working hard to give people options for presents and I take pride in giving everyone a lovely experience when they visit.

We Create market at the former Debenhams site, Palmerston Road, Southsea. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (120920-04)We Create market at the former Debenhams site, Palmerston Road, Southsea. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (120920-04)
We Create market at the former Debenhams site, Palmerston Road, Southsea. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (120920-04)

‘The local community supporting local businesses is vital to keep us going and I would love to be able to grow and take on someone full time.

‘Bringing in someone local would mean money goes back into the local economy. It would be a direct help to our high streets.’

BIG CONVERSATION: How lockdown gave me a 'lovely' new grandson and the 'perfect' family life

Like Rose Clover, Pigeon Books in nearby Albert Road cut its teeth at Southsea street markets before moving into a unit this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Mel and Phil Davies opened their book shop Pigeon Books in Albert Road, on Monday, June 15. Picture: Sarah Standing (230620-483)Mel and Phil Davies opened their book shop Pigeon Books in Albert Road, on Monday, June 15. Picture: Sarah Standing (230620-483)
Mel and Phil Davies opened their book shop Pigeon Books in Albert Road, on Monday, June 15. Picture: Sarah Standing (230620-483)

Co-owner Phil Davies, who runs the shop with his wife, Mel, said spending with local traders this Christmas is crucial as they compete with online giants like Amazon.

He said: ‘It’s proving more important than ever to support our local businesses.

‘There’s such a rich variety of shops here and people know if they don’t get used they will be closed – like Debenhams and Knight and Lee.

‘There was a period during lockdown when Amazon stopped delivering books because it prioritised other products.