Now more than ever St Albans Pubs, Restaurants and Retailers need your help.

We are so fortunate to have survived the first Lockdown with huge local support but the chaos that followed with the closures and re-closures since the Summer has been catastrophic. Businesses have spent tens of thousands of pounds on making venues and shops Covid-secure and most have taken out Government Loans to get through the year – this is not sustainable. The loss of Christmas trade at such a crucial time will be the end for some local independent businesses.

What can you do to help?

You can see if your local pub or restaurant is doing a takeaway service and many of them are. Please also remember that a lot of your local restaurants and pubs are now using app-based delivery services – they are hugely expensive to the restaurant with most charging the restaurant or pub 35% for their service so always try the venue’s website first or phone them direct.

If you need a lovely pillow, blanket, a good book, flowers or a snuggly comfy pair of sweatpants or some fancy lockdown duds, or perhaps crafting supplies and a lovely journal to write your life story, our independent retailers can help you out!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and we know that you want us all here as much as we want to be there at the end of this very very challenging period.

Mandy McNeil, vice- chair of the St Albans BID (Business Improvement District), says: “Almost a year ago we were shouting about our inventive and resourceful independent retailers are in St Albans. Now we are reminding our community that our local businesses have not disappeared, they are online for a while, in magical Virtual St Albans, which is just as vibrant and exciting as the offline one. “I urge our residents to check out https://www.enjoystalbans.com/offers/ or all the details about how you can still enjoy the city from your homes: ordering in food, drink, fashion and homeware; watching music and entertainment, cooking classing and buying a Stick One In voucher to support an independent business who needs your help.”

Stay Safe, Stay Home and Shop Amazing St Albans Online