Okehampton is “Open for Business” according to local MP Mel Stride, who has issued a joint appeal with local Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball for residents in and around the town to support local traders and businesses trying to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking after a visit to the town Mel said:
“The Government has done a great deal to support local businesses. In our Central Devon constituency businesses have received over £26 million in grants, 12,000 employees have been furloughed and over £50 million of bounce back loans have been provided. But the Government can only do so much. If businesses are to survive we need spending habits to return to normal as quickly as possible.”
Cllr Ball said:
“Okehampton has lots of independent and family-run shops. If we don’t support them now we could well lose some of them, which would be devastating for the owners and our town would be much worse off.”
Borough Councillor and Okehampton Mayor Julie Yelland added:
"It was great Mel was able to visit Okehampton today to help us get the message out that Okehampton is very much open for business. Our shops have gone to great lengths to make sure they are adhering to social distancing guidelines and safety precautions and it really is safe for people to come and shop. Okehampton has many unique shops with lots of choices on offer and we want them to thrive, so it is vital that we shop local and support them.”
