‘It could be the end of the pub... but we have to get rid of this virus one way or another’
PEOPLE in Erewash are worried about the impact tier two Covid-19 restrictions will have on their livelihoods.
Shop owners and landlords in the borough say they have concerns about the future of their businesses after Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced additional restrictions would be put in place.
Allan Hillary, landlord of the Blue Bell pub in Sandiacre, said: “I reckon it could be the end of the business. We are a small pub and with the original restrictions we can only fit about 30 people in the pub. Since the wearing of the masks became compulsory people have stopped going out. We’ve been closing at 8pm, even 6pm.
“I’ve got to be honest, we are seriously considering closing it down and ending our tenancy. If we leave it any longer we are going to get further in debt. We’ve already had two or three customers asking if we will be able to sit them together with the new restrictions – we are going to have to look and see. Personally I think all the pubs could be closed down in two weeks.”
He added that despite the impact it will have on his business, he thought the Government was doing the right thing.
“From a financial perspective they should give us support, but from a UK perspective, can they afford to do any more?” he said. “We have to get rid of this virus one way or another. Whether this will help or not remains to be seen, but they’ve got to try something. I think it should be a national lockdown, a circuit breaker.”
Laura McLean, co-owner of Harpur and Finch team rooms and gift shop in Ilkeston, said she was upset to be worrying about the future of her business again. She said: “Obviously we are worried - we are new business owners, we only bought the business in December.
“It’s a scary time for everybody and it’s going to be massively difficult. It’s been a worry, especially when Nottinghamshire got put in tier two as it’s really close to us.”
She is unhappy at what she sees as a lack of support from the Government for businesses in tier two areas.
“The Government aren’t giving us any financial support, they’ve shot us in the foot completely,” she said.
“It’s just not feasible for us. We’ve got a lot of elderly customers who come in and they feel safe here. That might not happen if they can only see people in their support bubble. It’s going to affect a lot of people’s mental health. It’s just devastating.”
Tristian Brown, who runs Long Eaton Cycles, backed the Government’s move. He said: “It’s a fine balance between keeping us going financially and losing lives.
“We cannot go all the way in one direction to point where everyone’s destroyed financially either. If we had a proper lockdown things might have been different.
“Localised lockdowns to me seem sensible. I think doing the whole borough is the right thing.”
Councillor Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council, said although everyone may not agree, the move to put Erewash to “high” level had to be the right thing to do following a sharp rise in positive cases of coronavirus.
She said: “No one wants to do this but taking this action now may mean that when the situation is reviewed in four weeks’ time, then it could have improved. In my role as vicechair of the engagement board overseeing this crisis at county level, I took part in a number of meetings earlier in the week and so it was obviously on the way.
“It will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the situation for people in Erewash and to urge them to follow the guidelines.”
She added that the decision would lead to “short-term pain for longterm gain”.
“I think that as people have started to try to get back to normal life, they have tended to relax on some of the rules such as washing hands, wearing face coverings and observing social distancing.
“We need to reverse the numbers and stop them going in an upward direction and we need to work together to keep each other safe.”
Maggie Throup, MP for Erewash, issued a statement following Mr Hancock’s announcement.
She said: “I want to assure residents that this is not a return to the full lockdown and the Government is committed to ensuring that schools and colleges stay open, as well as businesses that are operating in a Covid-secure way.
“I know that these restrictions are onerous, but as we approach the winter months, it is vital that we all remember the basics of washing our hands, covering our faces, observe social distancing and follow the rules, so that together we can control the virus and protect each other.”