Tavistock shops closing amid 'uncertain times'

COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS HITTING BUSINESSES HARD

- KATIE OBORN

A DEVON town known for its resilience and independent shops is now facing uncertain times, as several shops close down.

Business owners in Tavistock are encouraging tourists to visit as they have seen a decrease in footfall, with some blaming the cost-of-living crisis.

On top of that, rising costs for businesses, ongoing roadworks, limited free parking and the closure of two banks are reasons some residents and business owners think the town has gone quiet. A lack of holidaymakers has also been noted, as some compared the crowds that flocked to Devon just after the Covid lockdowns to current testing times.

The owner of Carters Deli, Denis Mbu, took on the store in August 2020 – just after the Covid lockdown. He describes that time as a “walk in the park” compared to this year.

He said: “It’s the footfall – that’s the thing that’s changed the most and what we are noticing. The beginning of 2024 has been tragically slow. Some of us have compared it to Covid lockdown times, when there was no one walking about the streets.

“Average spending by customers started to go down, you can feel that people are not comfortable spending. Everyone is struggling and no one is splashing money, it’s like a vicious circle.