Doncaster business owner urges shoppers to wander off the high street to support independent businesses

The Herbalist is located on Printing Office Street in Doncaster Town Centre, they have remained open throughout the lockdown as they were classed as essential by the government.

Owner, Lydia Lakemoore is concerned that business has not started to pick up despite shoppers flocking to the Frenchgate Centre and the markets.

She said: “We have been here every day but with the addition of masks and hand sanitiser.

“It has been absolutely dead.

“We have never seen it like this.

“It has been quite tough to see Doncaster stripped of its momentum.

“The market and the Frenchgate area of town seem quite busy but people are not venturing any further out.”

Lydia recognises that the pandemic is far from over and is trying to stay positive for the future.

“This shop has made it through a world war so we refuse to let this be the thing that shuts it down,” she continued.

“We will not let any staff go even if there is the threat of a potential mass recession.”

Luckily like many other businesses they have been able to harness the power of online retail during the last few months.

The Herbalists in-store shoppers quickly adapted to online deliveries and Lydia says that their growth digitally has been very positive.

Lydia is passionate about her independent business and wants to encourage people to shop locally.

She said: “We need to be helping the local economy right now and the best way to do that is to support small businesses.

“There are a lot less people in the town centre at the moment we have lost commuters and people traveling here to socialise.

“In the next six months, it's going to be really important for people to come and support the town center or we will start to see businesses going bust.”

You can visit the Herbalists website here.

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