INDEPENDENT businesses on a town centre street have helped each other get through the lockdowns pver the last year.

Shop owner Vince Ayris credits the cooperative community on Havelock Street for making this tough time bearable for struggling small businesses.

Vince has run his self-titled shop for more than 35 years but suddenly lost two thirds of his trade when the first lockdown came in.

The pandemic closed clubs, cancelled ceremonies and forced many to work from home, so his award-engraving and shoe repair services were not needed as much.

He used the extra free time on his hands to spruce up his shopfront signage - as did neighbouring businesses - as well as work on converting his upper floor into a flat and help a new arrival prepare to open.

Vince added: “A pizza takeaway struggled to get tradesmen so stepped in to help them get what they needed, did a bit of painting, just to get them up and running.

“We have been trying to adapt to the current climate by going online, which is bringing in a new revenue becaus people are shopping more online, and we have made all business Covid-compliant.

“The government grant was very helpful and the borough council has been very supportive to businesses, I can’t say enough about them.”

He hopes that when some sort of normality resumes, Havelock Street’s 30 independent businesses could turn it into a more popular part of the town centre.

Vince added: “With big companies like Debenhams leaving the town, Sainsbury’s closing and other businesses that attract people to town all gone, it’s hard to see a future.

“But their demise is an opportunity and I would like to encourage other indies to come in and adapt their business model to town centre trading

“The inSwindon BID has been very supportive towards the Havelock traders. There are a couple of shops available at the moment, so perhaps a hardware store, baker, fruit and veg shop or deli might want to join this lovely street of traders that support each other.”

The street currently features cafes, takeaways, two barber shops, two nail bars, a vape shop, a Nepalese restaurant, a sports nutrition supplier, and a knitting shop and haberdashery.