Small independent Bishop’s Stortford restaurant PEACH featured on Channel 5 News

Small independent Bishop’s Stortford restaurant PEACH was the focus of a Channel 5 TV news crew this week.

The reporter interviewed the eatery’s proprietors, Dan Knowles and Leigh Keates, and Karen Burton, joint manager of the town’s BID (Business Improvement District), about the fight traders face to survive.

Karen highlighted PEACH’s plight in the Indie after former lorry driver Dan and ex-hairdresser Leigh took to social media to drum up support for their Church Street venture.

Their heartfelt message to the community included an invitation to enjoy a taste of PEACH’s wares and give feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Leigh said after the filming on Monday (August 5): “It was great to be interviewed by Channel 5, giving us an opportunity to share our challenges and speak up on behalf of small independents.

“In our personal lives we’re encouraged to speak out and ask for help when we’re struggling, so I thought why can’t this be applied to business too? I didn’t want to be another business sharing the unfortunate news once it’s too late.

“The reaction has been extremely positive. After our support through lockdown, I always knew if any town was going to respond to a call to action it would be Bishop’s Stortford.

“We’ve had people visiting, sending DMs [direct messages], emails and even stopping us in the street to offer support and advice.”

Passionate foodies Leigh and Dan launched PEACH in 2020 as Covid-19 struck but they persevered through the pandemic.

Leigh said: “The consumers are still on the high street and they do care. Whenever a new place opens, the community flocks to support them, which is honourable, but it’s often when a business passes that ‘honeymoon period’ when the struggles start to kick in and that’s when you really need the support.

“The problem isn’t with the high street itself or the consumers, it’s support from the Government that is failing both the independents and the public – Covid, Brexit, Ukraine war, cost of living crisis and so on.”

He called for an urgent reduction in VAT and subsidised energy bills, and warned that national chains were contributing to the problems for independent traders.

In July, neighbouring outlet Buffalo Joe’s closed, with owner Joey Fairservice also blaming the Government and energy costs.

The interviews with Karen, Leigh and Dan, which were expected to air on Tuesday (August 6) followed publication of the Federation of Small Businesses’ report “The Future of the High Street”.

Karen said: “The FSB report makes some really important points and suggestions to help keep our high streets continuing to survive and evolve.

“Reading through the list, there are many that Bishop’s Stortford BID is already doing or working towards, and that strengthens our resolve to continue to deliver our business plan and initiatives.

“Having a BID in Bishop’s Stortford means we are more likely to buck the downward trend seen on many high streets than those without.

“One of our main purposes is to serve as a vital intermediary that can bridge the gap between small businesses in particular and the broader economic and political structures. That in turn means a significantly enhanced likelihood of successfully implementing the FSB’s recommendations where appropriate.”

The FSB’s research found:

• Plummeting consumer spending (70%), falling footfall (47%) and crime or anti-social behaviour (47%) are the biggest risks to high streets according to the small firms based on them.

• Over half (57%) of small businesses say a diverse range of independents is one of the most important features for long-term sustainability and the future of their local high street.

• Good transport links are key for the future of the high street, according to 43% of small businesses based on them.

• Around half (49%) of small businesses say parking facilities on their high street are managed poorly.

• Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, most local high streets have seen a range of closures including retail stores (72%), hospitality (69%), banks (58%), post offices (28%) and entertainment venues (20%).

The FSB suggested a raft of measures to help, including support for pop-ups and temporary use initiatives for new businesses, the creation of mobile phone-based loyalty programmes, free bus journeys and parking, and showcasing local high streets in major tourism campaigns.

It found business rates remain a huge burden, with the current Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) a key part of their survival.

Almost half (49%) of high street small businesses say they would not survive without SBRR. The research also found that more than half (54%) would invest in or grow their businesses if the SBRR threshold was increased from £12,000 of rateable value to £25,000.