Throughout the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, London based online market research agency FlyResearch has been issuing weekly polls to its research panel of over 3000 people, to project how the outbreak and the implementing of social distancing and other restrictions has impacted the daily life of UK citizens.
Up until the 32nd week of the Covid-19 tracker survey [published on November 6 and sourced from data collected on October 30, 2020], The Leaders Council published a weekly review of the findings provided by FlyResearch managing partner, Greg Ward. However, from that point on owing to the speed of changes to restrictions, the weekly tracker survey switched to a monthly poll with reviews of the findings coming every four weeks. The previous survey and review came in week 53 of the tracker poll, consisting of data sourced from March 23, 2021 to March 29, 2021.
The latest review was sourced from data collected from April 23, 2021, by which stage outdoor hospitality, hairdressers, salons, and non-essential retail had resumed operations in England, and the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations continued to be a success.
These developments, according to FlyResearch managing partner, Greg Ward, had contributed to a significant uplift in mood among the panel.
Ward highlighted: “We have seen 58 per cent of respondents now tell us that they are feeling ‘hopeful’ due to current circumstances, which is the highest level we have seen since the start of the pandemic over a year ago. 31 per cent are still feeling ‘concerned’, but again, this is the lowest level we have seen.”
The change in mood has also correlated with a shift in opinion regarding the government’s handling of the pandemic, which was at its most positive since May 2020.
Ward said: “We are seeing now almost an equal split of 27 per cent of people rating the government’s response positively, compared to 26 per cent negatively. The rest are occupying the middle ground.”
The data surrounding personal health and employment also remained largely unchanged compared to the previous month, however there was a four per cent drop in the number of individuals who reported that they had taken a Covid test, which reflected a delay in the supplying of vaccines during the month of April.
Commenting on the vaccine rollout, Ward said: “According to the data from our panel, 71 per cent of responding adults have now had at least the first dose of the vaccine, which aligns with the government target. 43 per cent of those who have taken it report no side effects and 53 per cent have informed us that they have experienced very mild ones. Unfortunately, five per cent of responders have said that they have suffered from severe side effects.”
In acknowledgement of the fact that non-essential retail had been allowed to resume from April 12, the latest poll quizzed panel members on whether they had decided to return to their local high streets. The outcome suggested that footfall in physical retail settings remains largely subdued, with 61 per cent saying that they have not gone shopping in non-essential stores, while 31 per cent did visit their local high street or retail development and spend a small amount of money. Otherwise, five per cent did go to retail settings without buying anything, and a meagre three per cent enjoyed some proper ‘retail therapy’ and spent a significant amount of money.
“The data does not look promising for the high street”, Ward warned. “We are not accustomed to queuing to enter a shop and the benefit of in-person shopping might be cancelled out by fitting rooms being closed, which actually means that the online experience remains a better option in many cases.”
Respondents were also asked a question that has featured in previous surveys, surrounding holidays and feelings about potentially going abroad this year.
Presenting the data, Ward said: “Nine per cent of the panel remain optimistic about being able to go abroad, while 33 per cent say they intend to holiday in the UK this year. Six per cent have said that they will look to do both. Meanwhile, 18 per cent are saving their holiday money and not going anywhere for the funds to go towards other things, 24 per cent said they weren’t planning to go away anywhere, and sadly nine per cent are not in a financial position to afford a holiday.”
Within these numbers, Ward believes there may be a beacon of hope for the domestic tourism industry as it bids to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
“It does look like foreign travel may be restricted still, or at least not as much of a convenience as we were used to, which may bode well for the UK tourism industry.
“On the whole, news seems a lot more positive in the UK judging by the latest survey, which cannot be said for other afflicted countries like India that has featured heavily in the headlines recently for the wrong reasons. Our thoughts are, of course, with all those who are still suffering from the pandemic.”
