Even though the whole world has slowed down due to the Coronavirus, there are still food and fitness businesses in our communities doing their best to serve us and they need our continued support.
The types of businesses that managed to keep trading during the lockdowns varied. It was interesting to see a reflection on the culture of a society in the businesses that were regarded as a priority, the world over.
Daycare centres and primary schools were allowed to re-open as soon as restrictions lifted but churches, libraries, sports venues and retail shops experienced longer periods closed. Some of the essentials for both our health and wellbeing have been food and fitness establishments.
Here are some local food and fitness businesses who impressed us and whom we personally continue to support.
Food essentials
Supermarkets were regarded as ‘essential’ the world over, so they’ve been open for business continually – although some reduced their hours of trading to allow staff to restock shelves and clean and sanitise surfaces such as basket and trolley handles.
Bakeries and cafes were open every day and often provided the focus of the daily walk. Bread is important in most societies and is usually a regular weekly and in some countries daily purchase.
For us, escaping our homes to source a takeaway coffee has now become truly ingrained in our culture, and with or without restrictions, it’s remained commonplace to see friends grabbing a coffee outside of the home and standing around for a chat.
Eating out
Many cafés and restaurants started supplying meals as takeaway options, hoping to maintain relationships with their regular customers.
Restaurants converted temporarily to fresh food outlets. For some, it was a way of disposing of the food they had on hand; for others, it was a way to keep local growers and suppliers supported.
Food and beverage, in general, weathered the pandemic storm relatively well but they now need us to return to ensure they survive into the new year.
Fitness services
It’s long been known that mental health can be improved with regular exercise, and sports shops were inundated with customers looking for sports ideas as we were required to stay close to home during the restrictions.
Many gyms had to switch to offering live-streamed classes. Yoga studios and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes, to name a few examples, were successfully able to stay in touch with their clients via video links.
These businesses, however, have struggled to rebuild their regular visitors, only finding 30% of pre-pandemic members returning once restrictions lifted. With hefty rents to cover, many fitness establishments make not survive long term. So, if you love your gym or exercise class, consider how you can keep using their services.
Home sales are still in business
Whilst we have spent more time working or studying at home this year, our homes became a key focus, with DIY projects increasing.
The property market has stayed pretty resilient in these times of COVID-19. Your local real estate agent has been able to support clients renting, selling and buying.
Even though homes are a physical building, online platforms made it feasible to inspect multiple properties without needing to see them in person. Agents were one of the last services to be affected and were permitted to continue to show properties by appointment only as long as they observed strict social distancing rules.
People have therefore continued to buy and/or sell their property. So while confidence did wane a little and the volume of transactions reduced slightly, there have still been people with strong intentions and motivation to sell their home ahead of any potential downturn in the economy.
How can we help?
Although we’re working under COVID-19 health and safety best practices, we know that some of you need us to help you sell or buy a property. So reach out, we’re still here for you.
