On The High Street
(Essential or Non-Essential?)
On the 5th November 2020, England entered its second national lockdown, lasting twenty seven days. Once again, because of the coronavirus, businesses deemed unessential were forced to close or limit transactions to a system of click and collect – the shopkeeper’s version of social distancing. Businesses considered essential were allowed to stay open.
Siobhán resolved to capture the impact of this historic disruption on the high street. The high street is a prism through which we sense the essential character of an area and its communities; behind each business is a human face. She posted one image on Instagram for each day of the lockdown and invited her subjects to share their feelings on how they were managing, and what the pandemic had done to their hopes and dreams. It ultimately became clear that what authorities may deem unessential is in truth deeply vital.
The full set is available upon enquiry. Contact siobhan@siobhandoran.com – Thank you.