New tiers and festive cheers
As the nation moved out of lockdown at the beginning of December, Maidenhead joined the majority of local authorities in entering tier
2.
This caused problems for local ‘wet-led’ pubs, which had to decide whether to temporarily close or figure out a way to provide a ‘substantial meal’ without breaking the bank.
Outlets across the borough urged residents to shop local as much as possible to support independent businesses over Christmas.
Then, hope came in the form of the first vaccine – with Wexham Park Hospital being one of the first 50 hospital hubs to roll out the jabs on ‘V-Day’.
Other locations shortly followed, including the Desborough Theatre in the town hall and Windsor Racecourse.
The festive month brought a multitude of traditional celebrations in slightly altered style. Residents set up their own Christmas light trails to help spread festive cheer.
Theresa May judged the Advertiser’s Christmas card
competition as usual and also held a tour of the new Thames Hospice in Bray for the first time – as did actor Ross Kemp, who has agreed to be an official ambassador for the hospice.
The Royal Borough published its draft budget for 2021/22, including cuts to the library service, community wardens and art funding – as well as a move from weekly to fortnightly general waste collections.
Then the Royal Borough was placed into tier 3, forcing pubs and restaurants to close – devastating news for local pubs that had strived
to adapt to stay open.
Hospitality venues asked themselves if they should even try to reopen in January if restrictions were lifted, due to the grave financial challenges of staying open.
Only days later, a new tier 4 was introduced in the South east and London from 12.01am on December 20. A new, more infectious strain of COVID-19 was found to be spreading in the area.
This dashed hopes for a relaxed Christmas, joining three family bubbles, with residents being urged to stay at home.