Sunderland shoppers more confident about city centre, but still worried about pubs, survey finds

Sunderland shoppers are starting to feel more confident about returning to the city centre following lockdown, according to a new survey.
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The survey, commissioned by Sunderland BID, measured people’s reactions to the reopening of retail and hospitality businesses following the easing of restrictions.

More than 1,000 people took part in the survey by local agency MMC, which was follow up to a previous survey carried out ahead of the opening of non-essential retail in June.

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Findings of the first survey showed that there was a general feeling of apprehension about the relaxing of lockdown, concern over adequate safety measures and worries about people abiding by the rules.

Covid-19 safety measures in Sunderland city centre.Covid-19 safety measures in Sunderland city centre.
Covid-19 safety measures in Sunderland city centre.
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It was these first results which helped the BID and the city’s Recovery Task Force put together its plan to ensure that shoppers felt safe.

Measures include social distancing reminders, one way systems and hand sanitisation units.

Now results from the latest survey, taken in July, have found that shoppers are increasingly confident about the safety of the city centre.

Shoppers are returning to Sunderland city centre as lockdown restrictions are eased.Shoppers are returning to Sunderland city centre as lockdown restrictions are eased.
Shoppers are returning to Sunderland city centre as lockdown restrictions are eased.
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It showed that the likelihood of people returning to the city centre to shop had risen from 51% in June – when shops first reopened – to 60%.

More than 70% of those surveyed had visited the city centre since non-essential shops re-opened, with 40% of those praising its safety measures.

But people were still feeling cautious about visiting pubs and bars, with 57% of people saying they were worried about them reopening.

Yet people seemed more confident about returning to cafes and restaurants, with 37% unworried about them reopening, 33% neither worried or unworried and 30% of people worried about them opening.

Shoppers queued for the likes of Primark in Sunderland city centre when non-essential stores were allowed to open in June.Shoppers queued for the likes of Primark in Sunderland city centre when non-essential stores were allowed to open in June.
Shoppers queued for the likes of Primark in Sunderland city centre when non-essential stores were allowed to open in June.
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Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, said: “Of the people surveyed who hadn’t visited to the city centre, 37% said it was because they had no reason to go at the moment rather than not wanting to return.

“What is also very gratifying to hear is that one of the reasons people have come back is to support local businesses, which is massively important for the city centre economy.

“While Covid-19 is still with us so we can’t afford to ignore the safety measures, we are delighted that people have responded so positively to returning.”

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