WITH high street and non-essential shops set to reopen on 15 June, the East of England will be rushing to their favourite outlets this month – as a nationwide survey revealed that 61% of the region were missing shopping the most.
Wall’s Pastry commissioned the online YouGov survey, which reached more than 1,800 members of the public, to discover what people have missed from their everyday lives during lockdown.
While a high number of people surveyed said they are missing shopping and leisure activities, the expected majority (80%) missed seeing friends and family, while 58% listed visiting a restaurant or pub in their top three – with talks of hospitality venues reopening on 22 June.
Mike Holton, brand manager at Wall’s Pastry, said: “The current crisis has meant that as a nation, we are all reassessing the importance of our closest relationships and the activities we love doing together, so it’s fantastic to see shopping, dining out and socialising ranking so highly in our survey.”
Results also showed that nationwide, 47% of Gen Y and millennials (25 to 34-year-olds) and 45% of baby boomers (over 55s) are missing hair and beauty treatments the most, with more than half of the votes from women (51%) and more than a quarter from men (33%)*. Brits can expect to revisit their favourite salons and beauty parlours from 4 July at the earliest.
In order to help the public get back to doing what they miss the most, Wall’s Pastry – the UK’s number one sausage roll brand – will be running a promotion later in the year with a chance to win a number of tailored prizes inspired by the activities the nation has been without.
Mike added: “We will tailor our promotion prizes to support the nation in doing what they have missed the most once the lockdown ends, in the hope of encouraging them to revisit their favourite food outlets and leisure attractions with their friends and loved ones.”
