‘I can’t handle another lockdown’

ON THE streets of Bridgend, people didn’t seem too shocked by the prospect of a fresh lockdown from tonight.

Ray Adams, 67, from Cefn Glas was having a browse around the shops when he heard the news about lockdown.

“It’s bad, it’s a backwards step, but I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “It was inevitable that this was going to happen.”

When asked why he thinks a lockdown has happened, he believes it’s partly due to some young people partying and he also believes that the lockdown could have an impact on the town.

He added: “People are not taking it seriously. This is not good for the economy.”

Bronwyn Lewis is 22 years old and lives in Brackla.

She admitted that she doesn’t think she will be able to handle another lockdown.

“I couldn’t really handle the first lockdown. I’m pretty scared as I’ve just come back to college and I don’t know what this will mean for college now.

“I couldn’t see any of my friends as they were from different areas. Now it’s eased, I’ve been able to see them, but now I won’t be able to see them.That’s my mental release, seeing friends.

“I’m not surprised there’s another lockdown. You just have to come here on the weekends for the pubs and the nightlife, then you would understand.”

Many people in the area shared their concerns over how this could affect businesses.

Jean Griffiths works in the town centre and she believes that businesses could struggle again.

The 64-year-old lives alone but she believes that the lockdown is for the best.

“It has to be done, it was just a matter of time with Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

“I think this has happened because a lot of people haven’t been keeping to the rules.

“People don’t realise how serious it is. I think businesses in Bridgend will suffer again as they will be afraid to come out. The shopping area is struggling now as it’s quiet anyway.”

Partners Billie Cornwall, 19 and Barri Miller, 24, both work in the hospitality industry.

Barri said: “I think Bridgend needs to stick to what the government are saying.

“I’ve worked a lot of nights over the weekends and I have seen certain places not sticking to the social distancing rules.”