Independent shops in Harborough vow they will get through the coronavirus pandemic and come back stronger than ever

The inspiring leader of scores of proud independent shops in Market Harborough has vowed – we’ll be back!

Jarrod Burke, 23, roared his rallying call as Harborough’s High Street has effectively gone into lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The dynamic young entrepreneur helped to launch thriving retailers’ network the Harbs Collective – which now boasts about 70 local members.

And Jarrod, who owns Randalls American sweet shop on Church Square, off the High Street, told the Harborough Mail: “We are all living in weird times but we will be back.

“We are fortunate to have one of the best high streets in the region, if not the entire country.

“Many of my good friends and fellow shopkeepers are obviously finding it very tough at the moment.

“But we will come through this terrible time and we’ll return stronger than ever.”

The Harborough born-and-bred businessman said it was hard to have to close his own store and see so many others lock their doors.

“Harborough town centre, which is usually so busy, is becoming a ghost town – it’s very spooky.

“Emerson & Wests were still open on Monday and one or two chemist’s but that was about it,” said Jarrod, who lives in Harborough.

“I shut at 5pm on Saturday March 21 and that’s not an easy decision to make as a self-employed person.

“But everyone in the Harbs Collective is 100 per cent behind the move.

“I decided to close because my health and my family’s and friends’ health has to come first.

“We had a lot of shoppers in here on Saturday and that left me with no choice but to act.

“People have to keep their social distance from each other to stop this horrible virus spreading even faster.”

The sweet shop boss is urging shoppers to throw their weight behind their favourite High Street outlets in other ways to keep them alive.

“None of us have lived or worked through a crisis like this before.

“So we need to explore every possible option in a bid to keep our top local shops going and make sure they survive,” said Jarrod.

“Buying gift cards is one vital way of supporting businesses.

“Please go online and order home deliveries as well if you can.

“More and more stores will rely on online purchases the longer this goes on.

“Please send your local shops messages of support, too, to let them know you are thinking of them in these crazy days.”

He’s hoping Harborough High Street will be thrown back open to the public in a dazzling show of celebration and thanks once the coronavirus crisis has been conquered.

“It’s open ended at the moment and the uncertainty that we are all facing is one of the worst aspects of it.

“None of us knows just how long we will be shut and that’s very worrying,” said Jarrod.

“These are our livelihoods and our businesses and there’s a lot of apprehension.

“On the other hand business owners here have been so selfless and so admirable in helping out their families, friends and neighbours.

“We have a brilliant community in Market Harborough.

“No one knows what’s round the corner but people are coming together to help each other all the time.

“And all being well we will have a massive special event to re-launch our High Street when we are all back open for business.”

Big-hearted Jarrod, who’s been carrying out dozens of home deliveries, is also doing his bit to boost flagging spirits.

“I have an incredibly big base of loyal customers and their support’s been overwhelming, very humbling.

“So I’m doing one free delivery of a big bag of sweets and savoury snacks every day,” he said.

“And on Monday I was giving the sweet treat to a little lad celebrating his birthday in Harborough.

“It’s going down ever so well and it means so much to me to be able to do it.”

And he’s helped set up a new Home Delivery guide on the Harbs Collective website.

“We’ve posted up shops and businesses who are delivering to homes in the Harborough area.

“It’s proving a big success and we’ve already had over 18,000 views,” said Jarrod.

“Harborough High Street has been here many years through the ages.

“We’ll do all we can to bounce back to serve all our customers for many more years to come.”

If you would like to find out more about who’s doing home deliveries in Harborough please visit: https://www.facebook.com/harbscollective/