London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged city shoppers to help boost retail sales in Oxford Street. Joining thousands of shoppers who flocked high streets on the first Saturday after the second national lockdown was lifted, Khan was seen touring shops, talking to shop owners, and taking selfies with people over the weekend.
Khan said, “It's quite clear speaking to shopkeepers, businesses and those in retail, they've had a horrendous nine months, they're keen to make sure this golden month and this golden quarter they can make up some of the ground lost. They've seen the collapse of international tourism, the collapse of domestic tourism, and that's why they really need our support. Unless we support our shops, we can't be surprised if, due to a combination of Covid and lack of business, shops close and people lose their jobs.”
The warning comes at a time when 26,500 jobs were put at risk at retailers hit hard by the pandemic. Khan also said it was vital people follow the rules. He said, “It's really important that we don't think that this virus is behind us or that we're over the worst necessarily.” With Christmas just a little over two weeks away, shoppers are urged to shop locally in a bid to save small businesses.
