This is the first in a series of planned interviews with local business-people to understand how they see the challenges for businesses in our community now and in the future, as well as how they’ve experienced the pandemic. (If you are interested in contributing as an interviewee, please get in touch!)
JW What are your reflections on running a business in Bourton over these last 18 months?
SG Just a bit of context. I moved to Bourton around 6 years ago and became manager of Rowlands Pharmacy in October 2019. So, what happened a few months later, with the start of the pandemic, was a huge shock.
I’d thrown myself into lots of activities in village-life, organising music stuff and performing, joining the Panto group amongst other things and that all came to a stop.
It has been a most challenging time! The business took a real hit losing both local customers who were being advised to only shop for essentials and others who just went into their bubbles full stop and were perhaps afraid to go into the Village.
On-line options obviously became more popular. We also lost a lot of custom because, initially, visitor numbers were down.
JW That’s really interesting! There is a recurring theme that I’ve heard a number of times in conversation with local business owners that their ability to exist and provide a service for residents is dependent in part on the sales generated by sales to visitors to Bourton. So that is true for the Pharmacy too.
SG Definitely! And the real shame is that I think some of our residents who were customers haven’t yet returned. We have had to work really hard to get through it and it feels a bit sad at times that maybe people don’t see this.
JW I guess, as a generalisation, people tend to underestimate the impact of the pandemic on others and, despite things like clapping for the NHS, perhaps don’t stop to consider the additional stresses and strains on those keeping essential services going with huge uncertainty over what the future holds.
SG I think you’re right. As I say, it’s been really tough.
JW In my own work, I frequently referred to the pandemic as a “Portal to the Future”. What if anything had to change about the way you carried out business?
SG Probably not much as I’d like. As manager, in a large group of pharmacies, decision’s to do things like home delivery are not my call, but I think this will happen in the future.
JW How do you see the biggest challenges for businesses as we move into the post-COVID recovery period?
SG Getting people out there using services and shops, having faith in things again and being connected. Obviously supplies and deliveries are an issue as a result of both BREXIT and the pandemic. And then hiring is a challenge, a recent job ad only had one response. But getting people seems to be an issue across the village.
JW Absolutely. Only the other day there was publicity that the UK has hit the highest number of job vacancies since records began in 2001. Hotels, pubs and restaurants are the businesses with the biggest challenges getting staff. And that is really being felt in Bourton right now!
JW What have you learned about yourself as a professional because of the pandemic?
SG That I’m still a human being! I realised that I was struggling with a lot of stuff outside my control and my mindset was focussed on business, hitting targets etc. It wasn’t particularly joyful! But I had this awakening, it made me realise why I was working in a pharmacy. Because I love community!
JW Focus on control the controllables is very topical right now given some of the interviews given last week by Emma Raducanu! She is quoted as saying “I was 0-30 in my last couple of service games. To hold was pretty big, literally one point at a time. Just trying to focus on what I can control, my serve, landing first serves.” I know that this is a really important concept to support mental toughness that I coach around in my own professional life.
This leads me to my next question. Lots of people are talking about a second epidemic of mental health issues. How do you see this from a professional and from a performer’s point of view?
SG Lockdown was tough on everyone. A lot of people got into some bad habits, like eating poorly, putting on weight. And there were heart-breaking challenges in the community, like elderly people unable to see their relatives so feeling very isolated. And younger people not able to socialise, and education being really disrupted. On the other hand there were some great responses from the local community to support people.
As a performer, it may surprise people but I’ve always struggled with anxiety before performing. But once I start, I’m OK. I love it in the moment. Re-starting performing brings some of that anxiety, but I’m working on it, getting prepared!
I think this will be the case for a lot of people who got out of the habit of performing live. But yes, I think a lot of us need to be working on our resilience and supporting those who are struggling.
JW So, as you know, BBN is organising Music, Art & Food on the Water for residents of Bourton to create an opportunity to bring people together. What excites you about this event?
SG Exactly that. Bringing the community back together. Its really important that we all start seeing the sense of community again.
JW How do you see the role of music and performance in stimulating and improving people’s well-being?
SG Hugely. It’s so important. A lot of people I think don’t appreciate the impact. But listening to live music, everything that upsets or angers you, you just let go. It’s amazing.
JW I completely agree with you Silvi. So just one final question. How do you see the relevance of local businesses doing something positive for our local community?
SG Very important. I think for some businesses who only focus on visitors it’s a tough battle, a bit of an internal challenge. But a lot of businesses who employ people locally are not focussed on visitors and some are catering to both. So, I think we’ve just got to stick together. We need to stop pointing the finger, not be so judgemental. Just stick together as a community.
Post Script
Thank you Silvi for graciously giving your time to be interviewed. Sadly due to personal considerations, Silvi has had to withdraw from performing on Saturday 25th. We wish her well and hope to see her on stage again soon. And in the Pharmacy too as we show our support for a vital community service!