Leader of dozens of independent shops in Harborough is imploring people – give us a Super Saturday to remember!

The leader of dozens of independent shops in Market Harborough is imploring people – give us a Super Saturday to remember!

Jarrod Burke, 24, is urging us to go out and get our hair cut, sink a pint or tuck into a slap-up meal as the UK’s 12-week Covid-19 “hibernation” ends on Saturday July 4.

He’s being backed by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien and Harborough council leader Cllr Phil King.

But all three are also calling on the community to use their common sense and not to “tear the pants” out of the epic battle to beat the virus crisis.

Upbeat Jarrod, chairman of the 70-strong Harbs Collective, told the Harborough Mail: “We are all very much looking forward to Super Saturday.

“It’s so positive that we are finally starting to get back to some sort of normality after over three months locked down.

“And re-opening now could be the critical difference between surviving or going under for some businesses in our town centre.”

The dynamic young entrepreneur, who owns Randalls American sweet shop on Church Square, admitted: “It’s been a very scary time for all of us.

“But so many of our businessmen and women have shown themselves to be resourceful, resilient and tenacious.

“We’ve had to adapt and reinvent ourselves and the way we do business.

“It will be huge to see our hairdressers, barbers, pubs, restaurants, cafes, tearooms and so on welcoming back customers after being shut so long.

“Please come out and support our local shops and businesses – let’s start to fire up our local economy again.”

But Jarrod, who hopes to re-open in mid-July, is also appealing to shoppers to remember the highly-virulent coronavirus is not beaten yet.

“We all have families and friends as well as vulnerable loved ones.

“So we all have a special responsibility to keep our social distance still and adhere to all the new safety measures,” he stressed.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien said: “This lockdown has been a hell of a thing – we’ve never had an economic recession like this in our long history.

“So this big step forward – on America’s Independence Day – isn’t coming a minute too soon.

“A lot of people will be like me – desperate to venture out and get a haircut.

“We’ve got a world-beating High Street here in Market Harborough so let’s get straight back behind it.”

But Neil is also hammering home the message that we are nowhere near back to normal yet.

“We’ve seen from the crazy scenes on the beach at Bournemouth and elsewhere that some people have got well and truly carried away.

“If some people continue to misbehave then we’ll risk a second wave of Covid-19 and see a new lockdown,” he said.

“We are very fortunate to have some incredible shops across Harborough, particularly the vibrant independent retailers we have.

“These are often owned and run by individuals or families who aren’t backed by large institutional investors and need our support.

“I hope people will continue to back these retailers that do so much to enhance places like Market Harborough, Kibworth, Fleckney, Lutterworth and the villages.

“It really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

“Please get behind them.

“But keep your distance and follow the rules.”

Cllr Amanda Nunn, of Harborough District Council, said: “We’ve got a number of important measures in place to help people shop safely.

“There are clear markings and certain roads that have been closed, to maximise safety which is everyone’s main concern.

“Shops have also put measures in place within their premises to ensure safe distancing when inside also.”

Cllr Phil King, who leads the council, said: “This is going to be a massive day for all of us across Harborough.

“We have a magnificent town centre in Market Harborough as well as superb shops and outlets in towns like Lutterworth, Kibworth and Fleckney.

“It’s vital to spark up our struggling hospitality industry again after so many tough weeks so please get out and fly the flag.”

But he pleaded: “Don’t tear the pants out of our ongoing fight to defeat the coronavirus.

“Too many people have made far too many immense sacrifices to lose this now.

“No-one wants a second lockdown – that would be catastrophic.

“We are not out of the woods yet.

“So please be sensible and responsible, don’t be stupid, and let’s all go forward together.”