New emphasis on shop local is key for Fife's High Streets

Tuesday marked 100 days in lockdown. For over three months, we have lived very different lives with shops and schools closed, businesses working from home, and every facility ruled out of bounds in a bid to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

This week also saw non-essential shops re-opening for the first time since March 23, while schools are set to return full-time in August.

But as the pandemic continues to impact on our daily lives, we want to get a sense of people’s hopes for the next 100 days.

We asked them all the same three questions:

1. What are your hopes and fears for the next 100 days? 2. What help would you ideally like to help restart things? 3. How can local people help businesses like yourselves?

If you would like to take part, please email [email protected]

Tom Courts, butcher, Burntisland

What are your biggest hopes and fears for the next 100 days?My biggest fear is the long term effect on the economy both locally and nationally.

We have just got over the effects of 2008 only to face a new uncertainty.

I hope that confidence remains high throughout the economy and that companies look to the potential long term gain rather than short term cost cutting.What help would you ideally like to see to help restart things?My business is one of the few that has been able to trade throughout the pandemic.

I really feel for my friends in the hospitality and non essential sectors who have been closed. Over the next 100 days it would be great if circumstances enabled these business to bounce back and be well supported by customers old and new.How can people help businesses like yourselves? Local people have really done us proud with their support of my business and those of my fellow traders who have been able to remain open.

There is a new emphasis on shopping local and it would be great to see that continue.

A strong local economy adds value to the community.

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press