THE manager of a town centre trade group has called on shoppers to back businesses amid the coronavirus crisis.

Colin Garnett, of Barrow’s Business Improvement District (BID), is urging shoppers who want a refund from town centre traders to ask for credit and return to the shops once they reopen.

He said the next five years would be a testing time for high streets as traders faced the brunt of decreased footfall and competition from online retailers.

Mr Garnett said: “Coronavirus is a massive challenge for businesses.

“By the time this is all over the high street will be on its knees.

“People need to make sure they back businesses in the town centre.

“Instead of asking for refunds, how about getting credit and spending at a later date when you can.”

Business Improvement Districts up and down the country are said to be calling on the Government to delay payments of the levy town centre traders have to pay to fund promotions and events on high streets.

The Government has introduced a number of measures to support businesses through the difficulties of COVID-19.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced programmes including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, deferring VAT and self-assessment payments, a Self-employment Income Support Scheme and a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium sized businesses.

There is also a12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England and grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.

Barrow BID was set up in 2016.