Odette Lingerie closed its doors on 31st October
This Winter looks set to have a severe effect on independent retailers across the UK. Following on the from the closure of See-Saw Lingerie in August, Odette Lingerie of Old Amersham closed its bricks and mortar outlet on Saturday 31st October, Winch and Blatch independent store is closing in December and the latest to announce its full closure (and not just for lockdown) is Louby Lou’s in Ashby-de-la-Zouch which plans to close its doors for good in January 2021.
These shops and boutiques were all well established in their local area and were all recipients of Stars Retail Awards but despite valiantly trying to cope with appointment-only fittings and sales have found it impossible to sustain business since the onslaught of COVID-19. Liz Bolton of Odette will be continuing her business by a one-to-one personal fitting service and taking space at pop-up spaces as and when available.
Bira’s (British Independent Retailers’ Associaton) CEO Andrew Goodacre commented at the weekend: “This second lockdown could not be at a worse time for independent retailers as we approach the crucial festive period. Christmas shopping was already starting and will now end up being carried out online.
“Small retailers need support through this lockdown. The furlough scheme should be reinstated, the grant scheme for all small businesses must be re-introduced and start planning for a ‘shop out to help out’ scheme to be available for when shops reopen. We lost 25% of independent retailers after the last lockdown, and without meaningful support the sector will be decimated by further lockdowns.”
Louby Lou has announced its planned closure in January 2021
