Summer Starts Here for Ealing Shoppers
New survey shows how local people want to catch up on lost time
Deckchairs back at Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre
New research commissioned by the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre shows that people in the area are anxious to make the most of summer having missed out so much since the beginning of the pandemic.
More than four in five questioned said they to be more spontaneous now that more lockdown restrictions have been lifted, as they say they’re more likely to live life in the moment following the pandemic. Nearly 80% say they want to make lots of plans while they can with the possibility of restrictions returning later on.
While many admit they took the simple things for granted before lockdown, such as going on days out and spending time with friends, people in Ealing are ready to start enjoying some of their favourite things again.
Over two thirds put spending time with friends at the top of the list of things they’re going to enjoy the most this summer and a third said enjoying more days out. Meanwhile, for over a quarter going on a shopping spree is high on the list of priorities, along with going to the cinema, eating indoors with friends and going to the pub.
Central court of Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre
Surprisingly, throwing a party and seeing an unlimited group of people are lower on the priority list even after restrictions have lifted, suggesting people are looking to spend more quality time with those closest to them.
The research also revealed what those in Ealing missed the most when non-essential shops and indoor dining were closed. The top three things most missed about shopping in real life were picking up what you need when you need it rather than waiting for delivery, trying on multiple outfits in one day and the joy of window shopping.
Meanwhile, when it came to indoor dining, having an evening meal out with friends and family, eating food that has been cooked by a professional and grabbing a coffee with friends were the things respondents missed the most.
Andrew Rollings, centre director at Ealing Broadway, said, “Our research shows that our community is really gearing up to make up for lost time with loved ones. We’ve seen lots of families and groups of friends visiting the centre to enjoy a day or evening out since restrictions started to lift and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors over the course of the summer.”
The centre has restored the deckchairs to Town Square to offer visitors a comfortable place to bask in the sun and three child-sized picnic benches have also been added near the ice cream van.
Ealing Broadway is encouraging everyone to continue wearing face coverings if they can, and hand sanitising stations remain throughout the centre, along with enhanced cleaning regimes.
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July 29, 2021