‘Another nail in coffin of the High Street’
Fears as town gets ready to shut up shop for lockdown 2
A BUSINESS owner in Loughborough has said the timing “couldn’t be worse” for a second coronavirus lockdown.
Fresh restrictions will come into effect on Thursday, November 5, with all non-essential shops to close, and residents told to stay at home unless going out for work, to buy essentials, for exercise, and to provide care.
The Government has said the measures will last until Wednesday, December 2, although this could be extended.
Mike Jackson owns family-run furniture shop Pickworth Furnishing, in Wards End.
He said: “We’re going to have to close the doors. It’s disappointing, but it’s needs must really.
“It’s that busy time of year. There’s never a good time but this couldn’t be worse. We have bought all our Christmas stock. But if it’s for the best, we have to adhere to it.
“My main concern is it’s pushing trade online and it’s another nail in the coffin for the high street.”
While the shop will be closed, Pickworth will still be processing and taking new orders during lockdown, offering free deliveries.
Click and collect will be available via the
company website. Call Loughborough 235236 or email sales@pickworthfurnishing.co.uk for more details.
Another business in the town that will be staying open to a limited extent during the second lockdown is Holywell Guest House, on Leicester Road.
The hotel is still open for bookings for people who need to stay there for work.
Lez Cope-Newman, one of the proprietors, said: “We can stay open at the moment because we have workers staying on the top floor, who have special jobs on the new development on the corner of Barrow Street, the big student block.
“They’re staying for four weeks but it may be six. That’s certainly helping us.
“I need to operate at 80 per cent – I’m operating at 20 per cent. You can imagine what that’s doing to my overheads.”
Mr Cope-Newman is currently selfisolating as he was in the same location as someone with coronavirus.
He said he was happy to do it as he is almost 70 and had underlying conditions, and would hate to pass the virus on to someone else. Call Loughborough 731894 to book a room.
Love Loughborough is offering to help promote businesses by sharing their social media posts.
The group said in an email update: “Your Love Loughborough BID team are well aware of the damage to most of our businesses this further lockdown will cause, but, as with the first lockdown, we will be on hand to help with any issues and queries to ensure that all of our businesses receive the latest factual information and the financial support to which they are entitled.”
For more information, call Loughborough 278210 or email manager@ loveloughborough.co.uk.
Meanwhile, a Charnwood Borough Council spokesman has said the Remembrance Service is still under review, and will depend on the latest Government guidance.
The mayor previously urged people to mark the occasion at home.