RETAILERS and hospitality venues in Teignbridge have seen a mixed bag of trade this festive season.

Some have enjoyed good sales while others, such as some pubs, decided to close until after New Year as the Government asked the public to remain cautious.

However, shoppers have been spending at Newton Abbot’s popular department store Austins. Owner David Austin told the Mid Devon Advertiser: ‘There’s no doom and gloom here.

‘We had a very good pre-Christmas so December came through pretty strongly which has been encouraging. It seems this has been in contrast to footfall in the high street generally.

‘We haven’t suffered on the sales side but there is no question there are fewer shoppers. People seem to be coming in with intent and purpose so this has translated into on the whole reasonable business.’

He said this December was on a par with 2019 and far better than 2020.

But he said: ‘These are extraordinary times so comparisons are difficult.’

Newton Abbot town centre development manager Sally Henley said there had been a sense of ‘déjà vu’ ahead of the Christmas period. However, while there was a cautious note with a ‘low key’ lights switch on, the town was able to enjoy some of the more usual festivities.

Three late night shopping events, the popular Victorian charity evening and the Mayor’s Carol Service took place with some ideal weather conditions.

Sally said: ‘The town centre was a festive and safe place to do some Christmas shopping.

‘Choirs, bands and orchestras brought some festive cheer with live performances which we missed last year and the community came out to support their town centre, knowing that it was safe to do so.

‘There is no doubt that footfall has not been what we might have hoped, when we looked at Christmas from the summer when the vaccines were being rolled out. We were all hoping for more ‘normality’ this Christmas, having enjoyed a mask- free summer with rising trade levels.

‘However all in all, trade in the town has been resilient and for many retailers. The hospitality and beauty sectors have suffered most, with the cancellations being well documented. This has been devastating for those for whom the Christmas and New Year period is where they make the most money.

‘The news is more promising and, talking with businesses, there is a feeling the worst is behind us.

‘I have one plea that people be kind and considerate to staff in businesses. It has been so sad to hear of the abuse which seems to have escalated in recent months and while the regulations are frustrating for all of us, these are incredibly challenging times and staff are doing their best and in many cases going above and beyond.’

Keith Underhill, chairman of Teignmouth Chamber of Trade, said the situation had been mixed in the run up to Christmas.

At a time of year when most retailers and hospitality businesses expect to make enough money to cover the leaner months of January and February, it has been much slower than pre-Covid years.

But Keith believes the issues run further than the pandemic as increasing costs of utility bills and petrol mean customers have much less spending power.

Keith, who runs a small vintage shop, said: ‘It’s been slow, trade is certainly not up to levels we would have expected pre-Covid. But I don’t think we can blame it all on Covid, prices are going up and people don’t have as much disposable income as they had and are also being more cautious.’

While the town only has three empty shops, several small independent shops have closed until into the New Year and others, run by small families, have been forced to close due to isolating.

He added: ‘Some businesses have enjoyed a decent Christmas but footfall hasn’t been what we would have liked.’