Horncastle residents urged to support local businesses

Kay Burge, who runs Horncastle Recruitment, said businesses were already struggling because of a drop in footfall and Government advice to avoid ‘public places.’

She stressed many traders had a home delivery service set-up for the elderly and anyone who is self-isolating.

She said: “I’ve been out and about. I bought flowers from one shop and meat from another.

“At Myers, they can’t bake bread quickly enough but that is an exception.

“They (local traders) all need our support.”

Ms Burge revealed the first in what promises to be a lengthy line of employees had been laid off.

She said pubs, restaurants and cafes were among the businesses most at risk by the restrictions.

Ms Burge also maintained people on ‘zero hours’ contracts were particularly vulnerable.

She added: “The people being laid off at the moment unfortunately fall into a ‘crack’ in the system because any Government help id not available. .

“They can apply for Universal Credit but it is taking five weeks for any money to come through.

“When you are talking about people on a low income anyway, that could cause real hardship.”

Regarding zero hours contracts, Ms Burge said the best advice for anyone was to ask employers to,pay any holiday pay ahead of schedule.

She added: “That might only cover a couple of weeks but at least it is something.”

Ms Burge did attend a ‘crisis meeting’ earlier today (Wednesday) at St Mary’s Church when various organisations discussed launching a new community initiative to help vulnerable residents.

She said she - and other organisations and businesses - were doing everything they could to support the venture which is linked to the town’s Foodbank.

She added: “This (coronavirus) is going to impact on everyone. A lot of people are already struggling and unfortunately the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.

“People on benefits and pensions at least have a set income coming in but a lot of people are not in that position and are really worried about what will happen to them, their jobs and their futures..”

She added her own business was struggling because no-one wants to recruit full-time staff.

However, she said she was happy to help companies who might need temporary staff to cover sickness absences.

Other arrangements include the publication of an emergency edition of Horncastle Matters which will be delivered to every household in the area and contain details of who to contact in an emergency - or to request help and support.