Coventry Market bakery caught in lockdown loophole
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:33 am
"Our customer numbers are down by around 70%"
A popular Coventry bakery facing a massive drop in trade is not eligible for Government support because of a lockdown loophole.
Baguette Bakery, based at Coventry Market, has seen footfall plummet as non-essential businesses nearby have been forced to shut.
But as a takeaway, Matt Etheridge's business is considered essential, and so is not entitled to support if Matt shut up shop voluntarily.
With a drop in trade of around 70 per cent, he's forced to decide between remaining open with little trade, or closing and receiving no support at all.
And with others in a similar position, he said many small businesses may struggle to survive the tough conditions.
The gap in Government support, he said, highlights the difficulties faced by the small business community.
Originally from Birmingham, but now living in Rugby, Matt has run Baguette Bakery for 18 years.
Speaking to CoventryLive, Matt said: "In my opinion, this lockdown is very much not a lockdown. If you go out in Coventry the town is still busy and traffic is still busy.
"You can do your full shop at supermarkets and even buy things that aren't essential. When I walk past Poundland in the centre there are loads of people at the tills, but little businesses that have spent money on social distancing can't open?"
"I'd say on average we can serve between 15 and 30 people per day at the moment. I reckon our footfall is down by around 70%."
Matt claims that around 13 of the 170 stalls at the market have remained open throughout the second lockdown.
He added: "I just want to remind customers to support small businesses rather than large ones as many are struggling at the moment."
Baugette Bakery is located in Coventry Market near the Lower Precinct toilets. Currently, the entrance into the market this way is closed, but it can still be accessed from alternative entrances.