Non-essential businesses in Deal High Street are proving adaptable as they fight back against a second lockdown battering.

A new four-week lockdown starting tomorrow (Thursday) could see the collapse of hundreds of small independent businesses across the nation.

But shops in Deal have joined schemes such as Deal Delivers and Love Local in order to promote their wares, even though their front doors will be shut - and are urging local people to support them.

Having bought his Christmas stock in February, Phil Bowman, owner of Beach furniture shop, has set up a new website beachofdeal.co.uk to allow him to keep operating.

He said: “We sort of know what to expect this time round and ever since the last lockdown we’ve been working on a new website so we can offer our products.

“We’re doing free local delivery and click and collect.”

Jane and Mike Wood who run BonneBomb in Deal are offering free delivery to CT13, 14, 15, and 16 areas and a click and collect service.

They are anticipating a 90% drop in November takings.

Mrs Wood said: “It is a worrying time and most small businesses fall through the net. We’d like to remind people that just because our door is shut, it doesn’t mean our business is.”

Richard Taylor Jones of Taylor Jones and Son art gallery said: “Usually November is a busy month for us. It takes out a huge part of our buying year.

“It’s particularly difficult for us because people love to see art in the flesh so it’s very hard to sell via our website.

“But we’re asking people to look at our website, follow us on Instagram and sign up to our newsletter.”

Deal Delivers, an online catalogue of independent shops set up by entrepreneur Calypso Rolph, and Love Local Deal, a Facebook page managed by Peter Davies, are two outlets which are helping to show off how businesses are adapting.

Ms Rolph, who allows businesses to list their contact details for free on her website, said: “We’ve seen a big rise in people coming up with new ideas, just trying to pivot what they were doing before.

“We’ll be ramping up the website with content and using it to spread the word.

“Everyone’s been brilliant at supporting local and just remembering not to press that Amazon button. Just a little bit more effort makes all the difference and it’s so much nicer engaging with a local person.”

Mr Davies added: “November is usually an extremely busy month from a local point of view and the businesses are having to be adaptive and resourceful in order to deliver.

“It is a blow but the businesses of Deal have taken knocks and blows before and they’ve got back up.

“I’m sure with the encouragement and support of local people, everyone will be okay.”

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