IN RESPONSE to last week’s (Chronicle, April 21) story on Hayward Guitars, I express again my sadness the store is closing and my best wishes to Brian Hayward, who will continue to offer services from his home workshop. When I was asked to comment the reporter did not make me aware Mr Hayward had expressed dissatisfaction with Winchester BID so I could not respond to this at the time.

In the article Mr Hayward explains the closure is due to challenges presented by Covid-19 lockdowns and online competition. This is also what Mr Hayward told me when we spoke recently on the phone. Prior to this he had not reached out to the BID to express concerns for the business or to request additional support. Last week on the same day the article was published we received a thank you note from another independent business which had reached out during the lockdowns requesting one-to-one advice on grants and business support. We certainly cannot solve every problem, but we always do our best to help.

READ MORE: Hayward Guitars to close as Winchester's last music shop sees drop in sales

Throughout the lockdowns we kept businesses informed of the latest announcements and support available, kept the public informed about how they could support local businesses, and our Rangers continued to provide a 7-days-a-week service keeping watch on closed premises and supporting those which were open.

Winchester BID is a business-funded and business-led organisation delivering services to help make the city a better place to do business. A summary of our work is available in our Annual Review which is sent to all BID members and is available to view online.

While sadly the city has lost some businesses in recent challenging times, new businesses have and are continuing to choose Winchester as a location. There are also examples of independents which have expanded and taken on new premises. In our fortnightly e-newsletter we include local success stories, and the latest features a new independent business opening and two others which have expanded their premises.

BIDs are about businesses working together and collaborating. If anyone would like to find out more or have ideas to share, please do contact us.

Paul Spencer,

Winchester BID,

Parchment Street,

Winchester

 

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