‘We need you more than ever so shop local’

Many shops have been forced to close during the second national lockdown.

With MPs poised to vote on controversial legislation to halt the spread of Covid 19, it seems certain the Horncastle area (and the whole of Lincolnshire) will be placed in Tier 3.

It is the highest of the Government’s three-tier system designed to combat the spread of Covid 19.

East Lindsey has seen some of the highest rates of infections in the entire country although statistics suggest the Horncastle area has avoided the worst of the pandemic.

Even in Tier 3, the vast majority of shops will be allowed to open - with the exception of the hospitality industry.

Hotels , restaurants and pubs are desperately hoping the Tier 3 restriction will be lifted before Christmas and they will be allowed to open - even for a short period.

The News has spoken to a host of businesses who, although welcoming the chance to reopen, called for more clarity from the Government about the myriad of restrictions - and what might happen over the festive period.

Many said they were unhappy with the advice that while shops can open, the public is being advised to make only essential journeys.

Kay Burge, who runs a recruitment agency in Horncastle, is a key figure in the business community.

She praised the many businesses who had survived and in some cases flourished during lockdown by ‘thinking outside the box.’

And, she urged all businesses to develop new ways of trading to meet the tough economic climate.

Mrs Burge said: “We all know it is not going to be business as usual.

“From talking to other businesses, I believe the ones will do well are the ones who think outside the box .

“If you want to succeed, you have to be innovative and adapt.

“There are many amazing examples of that in the area. restaurants and pubs offering takeaways and shops offering click and collect.

“Above all else, what all local businesses need is your support - more than ever.

“The message is shop local. Ok, it might not always be the cheapest option but you really will be helping your community.”

Mrs Burge admitted ‘her heart went out’ to the hospitality industry.

Again, she highlighted a number of premises which had adopted new ideas.

She added: “For example, some pubs and restaurants are offering takeaway services - and they have been very successful.

“Not everyone can do that but if you sit back and do nothing then you will struggle.”

Emma Brealey, director of the multi-award winning Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, admitted they were hoping to open over Christmas and the New Year.

She added: “It has been a very challenging year and the delay in not knowing what we’ll be able to do at one of our busiest times of the year is a concern.

“Everyone has been supportive - and understanding.

“When you hear about the Branston Hall Hotel in Lincoln going into administration, it really does make you think.

“We were fortunate in that we were busy in the period between the two lockdowns.

“Now, we’re hoping for positive news ahead of Christmas.”

Ms Brealey admitted routine operations like taking bookings and ordering food and drinks was a ‘nightmare.’

She added: “This might sound ridiculous but how many turkeys do you order? How much beer and wine?

“It’s not just a problem for us, it’s a problem for the whole supply chain which is very important to Lincolnshire.”

Paul Hay, the new landlord at The Crown pub in West Street, Horncastle, said: “We will be closed the whole time we are in Tier 3.

“We don’t do takeaway drinks unfortunately - it is not really practical for a lot of pubs in Horncastle and we don’t do food.

“We are up the creek without a paddle.

“We are confident and are pleased to hear that cases are dropping locally.”

Mr Hay is one of several business owners who have questioned the decision to allow visitors from areas with a high infection rate to visit East Lindsey.

However, he is optimistic about the future.

He added: “Boris Johnson is reviewing the situation later this month and I am hoping we might be able to get a bit of opening around the Christmas period.

“If we move to Tier 2 which is serving drinks with a substantial meal - I’ve checked with police and sausage and chips will be acceptable.

“Our plan is - subject to clarification from the authorities - that we will insist on everyone who comes in the pub to pay £2 on entrance and they will be given a sausage and chips and they will be able to stay for up to two and a half hours.

“Once they have finished , they can carry on drinking in the pub.

“I bought the pub at the end of August thinking lockdown wouldn’t happen again - but unfortunately it has.

“From the last week of August to the first week of November we had done magnificently.

“We had a lot of support from customers - everything was going hunky dory and then wallop.

“Fortunately, we do get some help from the Government but I am running at -£500 a week and I am getting £300 so it is hurting me in the pocket.

“However, it will get better. It (lockdown) has just been one of those things.

“I feel sorry for the other pubs in Horncastle - a lot of them rely on bums on seats.

“I hope, not just for us at The Crown, but for every licensed premises in the town that we can get through this as there is enough business for us all.”

Sam Gordon, owner of The Big Chair Company in Horncastle, said: “We are still doing takeaways.

“We have expanded. We are doing ice cream and crepes alongside our coffee and cakes.

“We used lockdown as a way to find new things to do with the shop continuing to develop.

“October was the busiest month we’ve ever had, both sales and the coffee shop.

“For us, it (lockdown) was a huge setback but we are in the position where - although it is a frustrating time - we know we will come out the other side.

“We know that people will be shopping online.

“We are just finding ways of making sure we are fully prepared for when we can reopen the coffee shop side of things.

“We can (at least) give people the opportunity to look around the shop and collect a takeaway on their way out.

“We are going to open late nights on a Wednesday night.

“We are going to try and offer some kind of Christmas feel.”

Hairdressers are one of the businesses that can trade during Tier 3 - provided they meet strict social distance and PPE restrictions.

Kate Liddy from Hair & Beauty by Kate, in Woodhall Spa, said: “I’m pleased we can open but I’m very concerned about the high Covid cases in East Lindsey.

“I’ve missed my clients a lot and doing the job I love.

“We will be in full PPE.

“It is quite difficult working in PPE - the communication is quite difficult for them (staff).

“I sympathize with all the nurses and key workers

“What it must be like working under extreme pressure in PPE for 12 hour shifts I do not know

“I want to say thank you to them all.

“Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the industry.

“I celebrated 26 years’ of opening in March and I never expected to work through a pandemic - it is one of the hardest things I have ever come across.

“I am going to be pleased to be working with my team and seeing my wonderful clients although we are very aware of the fact that we are in Tier 3.”

Some hospitality figures are unhappy about the level of funding they have received from Whitehall - and the fact that while their premises meet all the requirements, they are still not allowed to open.

The restrictions will continue to make life difficult for many, including care homes and charities.

Care homes, for example, are desperately trying to offer visiting arrangements while many charities have launched appeals after seeing fundraising activities decimated.

It is thought some charities could fold this winter.

And, it appears even churches have not escaped the financial impact of the pandemic.

St Mary’s Church in Horncastle has launched an appeal for donations after reporting a £12,000 shortfall in income this year.