Northampton's shopowners share concerns on 'policing' mandatory face masks by end of week

Northampton's shopowners have just days to crack how they will police their stores as the UK enforces mandatory face masks at businesses.

Starting on Friday (July 24), shoppers in the UK will be required to wear face masks or coverings in all stores, supermarkets and businesses, or face a fine of up to £100.

Following the announcement, Environment secretary George Eustace told Sky News that retailed would "not be responsible for enforcing" the rule.

However, the county's Chief Constable Nick Adderley stated in a tweet last week it would be down to shops "in the first instance" to police their customers who flaunt the rule.

Now, Northampton's shops have told the Chronicle & Echo how they feel it will impact business and how they plan to deal with the change.

"I think it's one of two things," says Andrew Cruden, owner of the MACE newsagent Mercer's Row. "It's a good thing as it will help possibly limit another spike.

"But from a business point of view I'm a little bit worried that it will put more pressure on my members of staff to police it.

"Already last week we had to call the police because someone was standing in the doorway and refusing to move.

"Police have already come out and said they don't have the resources and will need shops to police it themselves. They will back us up if needed but I'm still worried there will be more confrontation.

"Some people, even now, just do not understand what's happening."

Nationally, shopworkers union Usdaw has stated that workers are already "dealing with more abuse than normal" and the new rule could "be another flashpoint".

Meanwhile, director of the St Gile's Street's Mooch store Rachel Roberts says she does not know how the masks will affect people's confidence to shop.

She said: "If it helps us avoid the rise of a second lockdown it has to be positive. But I feel mixed because it might make some people stay home and it might boost some people's confidence to come out.

"We've been selling masks since June, so we have that option to help get them in so we don't lose the customer.

"It's become such a different job in the past four months."

Steve Peel, owner of independent coffee shop Yellow Bourbon on Angel Street, says he imagines cafes like his are prepared to serve customers through the door.

He said: "I think it's a good thing for the protection of staff and customers. If someone comes without a mask we can serve them out the door.

"I think most shop owners will not want to compromise a sale. There's always the option to sell a customer a mask."

Government changed its advice regarding public wearing coverings in enclosed public spaces in mid-May after originally claiming there was little benefit.