'We hope and pray it goes well': Northampton hospitality business owners react to second coronavirus lockdown

Owners of hospitality businesses in Northampton have been left disappointed by the plan for a second coronavirus lockdown but remain determined to make the most of it.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes must all close from Thursday (November 5) but can still provide takeaway and delivery services except alcohol.

Jodie Turner, who runs Number 50 Tearoom in Duston, will be going back to doing breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas for customers to pick up or have brought to them.

She fears the uptake will not be as strong without the school children around and the colder weather but hopes there is enough demand to see them through.

"This is the worst time to be closing as it's our busiest time as people go out eating and drinking towards Christmas, which is a shame," she told the Chronicle & Echo.

"But we will see how it goes - it was quite good last time but I'm not sure time around."

November is usually a busy month for the High Street cafe with friends and families coming in for a hot drink or a meal so they are disappointed to lose out on that trade.

The last lockdown saw plenty of demand for afternoon teas especially and they delivered many homemade breakfasts and lunches, particularly to those who were shielding or alone.

Jodie fears the uptake may be affected by children being at school most of the time but plans to do whatever it takes to keep going, providing a full menu to whoever wants it.

"We're optimistic about it, we're not going to give up and shut our doors and open again in December, which was the other option," she said.

"We're part of the community and it's important we are there so people can get a drink or some lunch and have a quick catch up as for some people that's something they rely on for their own sanity.

"So it would be wrong for me to close and open again in December as who knows what the rules will be then.

"We will keep serving the community the best we can and hope and pray it goes well and we're back open properly soon."

For some in hospitality, takeaways and deliveries just are not financially possible to do, making them completely reliant on government support.

Suzy Keeping, who co-owns The Old White Hart pub in Far Cotton and The Picturedrome in Kettering Road, said it is not viable for them so both will be closed.

"We just can't afford it, we would have to sell around 1,200 orders a night which isn't possible really - we didn't do them during the first lockdown either," she said.

"We had a few keen people but it wasn't enough. Unless you're on JustEat or UberEats, people just don't think to order from you enough to make it work."

Suzy said she was not surprised when the lockdown for England was announced on Saturday due to the rising Covid-19 cases and other shutdowns across the UK and Europe.

But the landlady at the Cotton End pub wishes it could have been different as her establishments have followed all of the rules and guidelines - although it will actually be better for their finances to close.

"It's quite disappointing for people like us as we have been really careful with it wherever we can, we've followed all the rules absolutely to the book," she told the Chron.

"So for us, it's a bit disappointing but we want the best for everyone and the country and we don't want people to be ill.

"So if that's the best thing to do then that's fine, we'll do whatever we have to do that's the best thing for everybody.

"But to be honest, the way we were running, we were doing our best but we made, across the two venues, about a £35,000 loss so we'll lose less money being shut - not that that's what we want."

Both Suzy and Jodie believe the lockdown will be extended beyond the current end date of December 2, but plan to squeeze whatever they can from the next few days.

Suzy said: "We had live music and quiz nights booked in the next couple of days which we'll enjoy but then we'll see what happens.

"I can't see it being just for four weeks though - I think it will be longer but who knows."