THE retail sector will recover from the Covid pandemic, says the man in charge of Swindon's high street.

Last week, Boris Johnson announced his roadmap out of the latest national Covid lockdown. 

The prime minister hopes that on April 12, non-essential retail, gyms, leisure facilities and personal care businesses will be able to reopen.

Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the town centre, stressed the impact of lockdowns has been felt across the country – but that the town is in a strong position to fight back. 

He said: “No one expected the Covid pandemic to last more than 12 months when it first emerged in the UK last February, and it has been a very difficult time not just for families but business. A week doesn’t seem to go by without a well-known national brand announcing they are going into administration or closing stores as they shift to selling purely online. 

“This week, John Lewis announced another eight stores out of their last 42 were closing, while Gap will close all 42 shops in the UK. 

“No retailer has paid business rates in the last year, and that has been a big help. 

“The government’s budget is this week and the reform of business rates must be a key announcement."

But Coun Heenan is hopeful that businesses will be back selling again soon.

He added: “The positive news is that the UK is leading the way with more than 17 million people already vaccinated, and when shops can reopen in mid-April, everyone over 50 will have their first jab too. No other country can say that. 

“The owners of the Brunel Centre are adapting to this new reality and their plans for a new £300,000 market for opening later this year are very exciting. 

“Meanwhile the council has secured nearly £100m for our town centre – the most significant investment in more than 30 years, we can point to cranes now, improvements are happening and more than 20 new shops opened for the first time after the second lockdown. 

“I hope that our town can continue to bounce back from Covid so we have a bright future ahead.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson called on the community to make sure their shops survive the crisis.

He added: “As we return to normality our local businesses and shops will need all our collective support to protect and create new jobs. 

"This will never have been more important than now.”