We found that the majority of respondents stated that they had received some form of state assistance, such as furlough schemes and rates relief (83%), and that these had been essential for staying afloat. However, for others, this scheme did not apply.

73% of our respondents had managed to keep the majority of their staff, although for many this was on the basis of reducing hours. Many businesses are proprietor run (52%) and for these businesses we found family has stepped in to assist through this period. We also recorded many acts of solidarity and kindness through in-kind or financial support across the street.

The overall story is of a stark economic downturn. Many business owners, especially Bangladeshi restaurateurs, referred to the Lane as ‘a ghost town’. 76 per cent of respondents reported that business was significantly down, with the majority anecdotally estimating a loss of up to two-thirds of trade. The words ‘very down’, ‘substantially down’, ‘devastated’ by ‘50%’ and even ‘70%’ were recorded.

Many respondents had gone online to trade (72%), although there was wide variability in this practice and success rates. Those who found success online tended to already have an online presence and client base in contrast to the restaurant trade who tended to see online as a way to stay afloat.

With the kind of footfall that sustained Brick Lane decimated during lockdown much of the food trade operated through online delivery services. However this model was not felt by many business owners (especially restaurant owners) to be viable or sustainable. In contrast we saw local efforts, particularly by a younger demographic, entering the street successfully with new retail offerings beyond retail such as community spaces for religion, cultural exchange and ‘hanging out’.

Whilst 56 per cent of shops were open the majority of these were operating under reduced hours, with reduced staffing, and in some cases by appointment only. Consequently, looking at closures only – in April 2021 29 per cent of shops had closed (compared to 9 per cent in 2019) – does not sufficiently capture the full impact of COVID on businesses. Some businesses were prospering catering to new economies around bicycle mobility and home décor (both industries that have flourished during lockdown). We found COVID 19 had exacerbated existing challenges particularly for the Bangladeshi/Indian restaurant trade. Whilst in 2014 there were 35 curry houses, just before the pandemic, there were 20 restaurants, and by 2021 this had dropped to just 18.