Cards Galore Owners Send Out A Cry For Help On The BBC

‘Dear customers, I face ruin, please come back’ is the urgent message from Rumit Shah, co-owner of Cards Galore that BBC News has shared with millions of people today (July 17), highlighting the plight of retailers in many UK cities.

Coinciding with Prime Minister Boris Johnson sending out his message urging people to get back to work to help kickstart the economy, the BBC was quick to respond to an open letter sent to them by Rumit, in which he detailed in no uncertain terms the retailer’s dire situation caused by so few workers not having returned to their offices due to Covid-19.

Above: Rumit’s plea was one of the top video stories on the BBC News site today.
Above: Rumit’s plea was one of the top video stories on the BBC News site today.

Film footage, broadcast on TV as well as hosted on the BBC News online site features Rumit (and his uncle Rajesh, who started the retail business which now comprises 60 stores some 30 years ago), reading out the letter they sent to the BBC. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-53434454/coronavirus-dear-customers-i-face-ruin-please-come-back)

“Unfortunately Covid-19 has brought us to our knees. Central London is a ghost town,” said Rumit. “Even though non-essential shops have been allowed to re-open, there is absolutely no trade. We cannot open the vast majority of our shops as it is not economically viable to do so.”

Above: Rumit Shah and his uncle Rajesh, who founded the 60-store chain 30 years ago and employees 200 people, outside one of its many stores in the London’s City centre.
Above: Rumit Shah and his uncle Rajesh, who founded the 60-store chain 30 years ago and employees 200 people, outside one of its many stores in the London’s City centre.

As he points out, there are no office workers, commuters, students around, plus the railway and underground stations where Cards Galore has some outlets are largely devoid of people.

Above: An empty Cards Galore store.
Above: An empty Cards Galore store.

“We understand the practical challenges faced, however, until cities like London are back up on their feet and running, the country will continue to struggle,” stresses Rumit on air.

He shares his belief that homeworking is only efficient for so long. “After a while it is detrimental to society in a lot of ways. Just as it is essential for children to go to school, the same is true for adults.”

Ending on a plea for all retail businesses, restaurants and bars located in the nation’s empty city centres, Rumit said: “We all need customers to survive. Please help.”

Above: The BBC film ends on a mug in a Cards Galore window which offers hope by way of a Winston Churchill quote.
Above: The BBC film ends on a mug in a Cards Galore window which offers hope by way of a Winston Churchill quote.

Top: Rumit Shah, co-owner of Cards Galore speaking on the BBC today.

 

MORE NEWS
SWan Mill gifted Feature Image
 
David Byk adds stationery and calendar firm to Ling, GBCC and Penny Kennedy group...
Budget 2024 Feature Image
 
Labour’s tax raid condemned as ‘anti-High Street’ and ‘betrayal’ of indie retailers...
Don L TRibute Feature Imagen
 
Industry stalwart John Charlton pays tribute to Don Lewin...
Loxleys 170 Feature Image
 
Loxleys wraps up big birthday celebrations and looks to the future...
Adam jollyes Feature Image
 
Cardfactory top dog makes the move to pet retailer Jollyes in January...
LF call Feature Image
 
Cardies have a week for charities to apply to The Light Fund...
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.