REDBRIDGE: Shopkeepers face anxious days before Xmas

10:40am Saturday 13th December 2008

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BUSINESSES in Wanstead and Woodford are holding their collective breaths this weekend as the last few days of Christmas shopping fast approach.

Despite a gloomy economic forecast for the national as a whole, business leaders in the borough say retailers are just about pulling through.

Andy Bollingbroke, manager of homeware shop Treasure Chest in South Woodford's George Lane, said business was good.

"So far we're doing OK. Everyone's worried about the economy - as a business you have to be, but at the moment things are going well and we're selling lots of Christmas gifts," he said.

"The test will be how we are in the new year, as people's spending always increases at Christmas."

Over in Wanstead, John Wishart, owner of Simple and Natural health food shop, said Wanstead High Street was still bustling with shoppers despite the gloom.

“At the moment we’re ticking over. Over the year the High Street has been affected by the economy and some people are struggling to get by. We’ve got momentum now, but I expect after Christmas will be the test, that’s when things could get difficult.”

Reg Woda, who co-ordinates the borough’s Business Partnerships, said he was cautiously optimistic about the immediate future for traders in Redbridge.

“The feedback that I’m getting is that the shops are doing OK,” he said.

“Lots of businesses are getting quite innovative. More and more they are turning to the internet which does help. And with the cost of travel going up more people are shopping locally, which helps businesses in Redbridge as it’s a very residential borough.”