BUSINESSES in Horwich say they can count on both hands how many customers have walked through their doors.

Traders called an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the high street after a marked reduction in customers, the impact of Covid and Brexit.

They met to discuss how they could overcome the challenges facing them.

Ideas including introducing late night shopping.

Steve Charleston who runs Active Dancewear with Jill Charleston, said he could count on one hand how many customers had come in during a week sometimes.

He said that online shopping and in particular ‘Amazon’ was ‘killing small businesses’.

He added: “Some products are being sold a lot cheaper.

“Sometimes sell the same product with our supplier at a similar price we bought it at.

“We do sell personal items and those with an individual touch which is what people come here for too.

“Fortunately, we bought the premises, but If we were renting, we would have gone a long time ago.”

The Bolton News: From left to right: Melanie Andrews, Bridie Tonge, Jill Charleston, Donna Magnes, Maxine Smith, and Helen HeywoodFrom left to right: Melanie Andrews, Bridie Tonge, Jill Charleston, Donna Magnes, Maxine Smith, and Helen Heywood

Jill said: “The impact has been because people are mainly shopping online due to Covid, and people get into the mindset that they can also buy everything from the supermarket.

“But people who shop local are paying for a service and the talent we provide.”

Owner of Handmade Hollow, Helen Heywood, only opened two weeks before the first lockdown, and went through a period of uncertainty when she had to open and close a few times.

She added: “It really impacted us when cafes shut down because people don’t usually shop otherwise.”

Bridie Tonge who owns Fine Yarns, has also been hit by those shopping online or elsewhere and puts it down to the ease of shopping in that way, and the rise in the cost of living.

She added: “It’s so slow.

“It’s because a lot of people are buying online, with many people coming in to refund their wool because they’ve seen it cheaper or don’t want to pay for postage.

“But nothing beats coming to the shop in person, which is ‘so important’ for people.”

The Bolton News: From left to right: Maxine Smith, Donna Magnes, and Melanie Andrews From left to right: Maxine Smith, Donna Magnes, and Melanie Andrews

Owner Melanie Andrews said that the reduction in footfall could also be to do with people’s shopping habits changing and some people still working from home a few days a week, meaning they aren’t coming to shop as much anymore.

She added: “Some people have been bulk buying cards, so they don’t have to come out again.

“And customers aren’t shopping as often.”

The traders meeting took place at Maxine Smiths’ florist, Flowersmiths, to see how they could get around the issues they face.

She added: “This is something that high streets up and down the country are facing.

“For us it’s been a difficult few years really with Brexit and the pandemic and the price rise recently.

“Horwich has a lot to offer and some of the finest shops.

“There’s not much you can’t get here.

“And we just want people to see that for themselves.”

The Bolton News: Flowersmiths, HorwichFlowersmiths, Horwich

One positive step forward that came from the meeting was that they would introduce late night shopping as a way to entice customers in during alternative hours.

The first one is expected to start on Thursday April 28.