Concern over economic impact of potential local lockdown in Northampton with rising coronavirus infection rate

The threat of a local lockdown in Northampton should not be ignored as businesses potentially having to close again would have 'major consequences for many'.

Over the past six weeks, 'non-essential' traders across the borough have been making the most of the national coronavirus lockdown restrictions easing while sticking to the social distancing and hygienic guidelines.

But with the Covid-19 infection rate is on the rise in the town, it is vital people adhere to the advice to protect lives and livelihoods, according to public health chiefs.

A Northampton Borough Council spokesman said: “Local lockdowns are implemented to manage circumstances within a specific area of concern and it is important to stress that we are not in that situation at the moment.

"Though there is a danger that a lockdown could be enforced if we don’t succeed in bringing down the number of cases in Northampton.

“This is why we are asking residents and employees within the county to follow additional guidance now, to help reduce the infection rate and avoid further measures being imposed.

“A local lockdown could see sectors of the economy which have only been open for a matter of weeks being forced to close which would have major consequences for many.

"This is clearly something none of us wants so we urge everyone to follow the additional guidance.”

On Friday (July 24), council leader Jonathan Nunn warned Northampton could 'be in a different place' to the rest of the country this week if coronavirus cases do not reduce.

While it is impossible to say what a local lockdown could look like for the borough, the council spokesman said it will depend on the data and each area is different.

In Leicester, limits on social gatherings and a delay on the reopening of hotels, pubs and restaurants were enforced in early July and rules in the city are still not the same as the rest of England.

But in Blackburn with Darwen, gyms, pools and leisure centre were not allowed to open on Saturday and the changes coming into force around working from home on August 1 are not expected to apply.

Meanwhile in Oldham, people should not go into other households for non-essential reasons, anyone shielding should continue to do so until August 14, and care homes will not relax restrictions.

Weston Favell Shopping Centre manager Kevin Legg said: "We have worked tirelessly to ensure all our customers remain safe whilst they visit ensuring clear and concise way marking, sanitisers and enhanced cleaning regimes are in place.

"We now have the majority of our 70 stores up and open for trade, losing just three retailers due to lease expiry’s in the past four months but any local lockdown would definitely have an impact on the long-term viability of some, especially local independent businesses.

"Since the wearing of masks has become mandatory last Friday we are pleased to see around 95 per cent of our customers are abiding and we have handed out over 1,000 masks in the first few days to those visiting who forgot the new Government advice.

"We have to be hopeful that all Northampton residents comply with all necessary measures to reduce the risk of a local lockdown or other measures which will not only affect themselves, their families and livelihoods but local businesses as well, this would be very sad indeed especially after all the good work the majority of residents and businesses have done since late March."

Sisters Rutendo and Florence Nyatsine opened Flowey Beauty Parlour, a new salon on Wellingborough Road, on July 6 when hairdressers were allowed to reopen following the lockdown.

Rutendo admitted business had slowed down recently which she thought was because of the warning about the rise in coronavirus cases, and called on people to stick to the guidelines.

"As much as it's not good for the business, we know we will catch up as people will want to have their hair and nails done so once our cases go down, our business will pick up again," she said.

"So I would really urge people in Northampton to understand the importance of preventing Covid-19 to spread as it's better than the cure, it's better to stay safe than ending up being in hospital."

Northampton town centre has come back to life since the gradual lifting of the lockdown with businesses taking advantage of more shoppers and workers being around.

Mark Mullen, the area's business improvement district's (BID) operations manager, said they have been working tirelessly to help traders adopt additional Covid-safe measures.

"Local shops and retailers really have excelled in their response to the latest warnings of a rise in coronavirus cases," he said.

“We have seen business owners and workers in the town centre introduce even more procedures to make sure that everyone can enjoy shopping and stay safe during their visit.

"As a BID, we have also delivered 12,500 face masks for businesses to give to shoppers who do not have their own.

“It has been very reassuring to see so many people adhering to the guidelines and new rules, and also significantly more tests being carried out. We of course encourage this to continue.”

A list of what the public should and should not do includes continuing to work from home, avoid using public transport or car sharing, avoid meeting anyone from outside your own household or 'bubble' in indoor spaces.

Four Covid-19 testing units have been deployed across in the county — two in Northampton's Market Square and at St Andrew's Health Centre Cliftonville car park, one in Daventry and on in Corby — as health chiefs remain worried over becoming a potential hotspot.

Anyone who believes they have coronavirus symptons — a new, continuous cough; high temperature; loss of or change in sense of smell or taste — is urged to get tested urgently to avoid risking of passing on the virus. More guidance can be found HERE.

A total of 663 people are thought to have died of coronavirus in the Northamptonshire's two main hospitals and the county's care homes, including three at Northampton General Hospital on Sunday.