Our streets fell quiet again

JUST two weeks after shoppers flooded back into the city centre, the streets were once again quiet.

The only places open were banks, supermarkets and a handful of other essential goods stores.

The scene was almost identical to when the rules were introduced in March.

Steve Holman, 62, who had walked in from his home at Oadby not realising nothing would be open, said: “It’s a lesson for those who didn’t heed the advice.

“It’s another first for Leicester. First we have Richard III, then we win the league and now our own lockdown. It’s unfortunate a lot of good work is being undone by people’s irresponsibility.”

A 74-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she felt humiliated by the rules. She added: “I feel disgusted. It’s like we are being made an example of. I just hope the Government is going to throw money at us because of all the jobs that will be lost.”

Another, aged 45, said: “The shops reopened and everyone just went back and there was no social distancing inside some shops. It’s awful. People are going to suffer mentally and physically.”

Kris Rungen, 72, added: “It’s a shame Leicester has to have another two weeks of lockdown but it has to be done.”

Not only does the local lockdown mean a longer wait for pubs, cinemas and other businesses that were due to reopen this weekend, it is also another blow for businesses in the city.

One shop owner said: “We reopened on June 19 and it was actually surprisingly busy.

“Now it’s surprisingly quiet. I came in this morning and everyone seems to be playing ball and has stayed shut.

“It did feel a bit last minute, the decision to have a new lockdown in Leicester. I think maybe we came out of lockdown too early and people haven’t been social distancing enough.” Senior Reporter, Leicester Mercury