Second lockdown 'a potential massive blow' to Dorset economy amid business fears

From 0.01am on Thursday, November 5 until Wednesday, December 2, people will be ordered to stay at home unless for specific reasons, such as attending school or college going to the supermarket or provide care.

Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will temporarily shut while supermarkets and shops that sell essential items can remain open.

Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or take-away services. Takeaway alcohol will not be allowed.

Despite Dorset seeing below the national average of coronavirus cases, the county will be under lockdown once again.

Businesses 'devastated' by second lockdown after fighting to survive

New Body Fitness owner Nick Bell. Picture: Nick Bell

Dozens of non-essential businesses around Dorset have shared news that they will close or change how they will operate.

The Little Ship, based in Portland, confirmed the venue will close until Thursday, December 3 and will use the time to carry out maintenance and create a new menu while Chickerell based Turks Head will continue to offer a takeaway and delivery service.

Store 6, a new design store and café opening in Poundbury, announced it will open just for three days before temporarily closing for four weeks.

One self-employed business owner called for the Government to offer more clarity on support for those who are self-employed.

Nick Bell, owner of New Body Fitness in Weymouth, was “devastated” for the gym and its community and had seen first-hand the gym’s positive impact on peoples’ mental and physical health since reopening in the Summer.

While the gym’s online members platform will start again, Mr Bell said in a statement that the gym will require further financial support to pay its business overheads and self-employed instructors.

He has launched a fundraising page to raise £5,000 which can be found through this link. 

He said: “Unfortunately the grants allocated this time are not feasible to cover ours and so many other businesses overheads.

“We are truly grateful for all the support we had during the first lockdown and we want to be able to continue to support our members during this next period.

“We have had to set up a Just Giving page to help us survive the 2nd lockdown and help pay our instructors who may be self-employed and don't qualify for the furlough scheme.

“I would hope we rally around our local small businesses once again in all industries that have been effected to help give hope that there will be future for us all to continue running our livelihoods.”

John Purcell, of John Edwards Hair Salon in Dorchester town centre, accepted the news and felt it was key to help reduce the strain on the area’s medical services and Dorset County Hospital.

He said: “We are devastated by the news that we have to close but it is for the greater good that we do this in order to protect each other. It is the reality of what we have to do.

“We are going to be open until Thursday and we have been calling as many clients as we can so they can get an earlier appointment and get their hair cut and coloured.

“We are working as safely and quickly as we can.”

Michael Reed, partner at Dorchester Hair Salon, said the second lockdown was “too late and the Government should have done it at half term.”

Are you a business owner? What is your reaction or views on the second lockdown? Got a Dorset story you would like me to share or investigate? Contact me at 01305 830999 or email michael.taylor@newsquest.co.uk.

'Please stay strong' plea issued to local businesses

Weymouth town centre (Image: Newsquest)

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce said this lockdown has the “potential to land a massive blow on the local economy here in Weymouth and Portland” and called for local businesses to “please stay strong” during these challenging times.

A spokesman added: “Looking at what has happened, the statistics are up against us with regards coronavirus and even though in our area the infection rate is very low, it is understood that this course of action is the only way.

“We mentioned on a post earlier in the year that we did think that a national lockdown would be unfair to our area as by and large the rules and measures had been observed hence our low rate and common sense could prevail.

“We also said at that time the only thing that couldn’t be factored in was the colder weather and the need for people to spend more time indoors which has contributed to higher levels of infection overall which are now being reported by ONS.”

Craig Oakes, president of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, echoed the thoughts and questions of Director General of British Chambers of Commerce, Dr Adam Marshall.

Dr Marshall asked if the restrictions evidence-based and targeted effectively, if businesses will have adequate time to prepare for lockdown and if there is a clear process for increasing and decreasing restrictions

“A second lockdown locally could be devastating for Businesses and the points above need to be taken into account”, Mr Oakes added.

“We would hope that no further lockdowns are needed by making sure this extreme measure is put in place.”

'This is not just about the economy – it’s about people’s health, their jobs, their futures, their aspirations' - MP's fears on lockdown

Parliament will debate and vote on these coronavirus measures which, if passed, will come into force on Thursday.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset and vocal critic of lockdowns, states he will vote against the measures, insisting the human spirit would be crushed and lives destroyed by shutting down the country for a second time.

He added: "The devastation these lockdowns cause - always to the poorest people – is absolutely appalling.

"The hospitality industry that Dorset relies so heavily upon has gone to great lengths and cost to follow the guidelines and allow people to go out for a glass or wine, or lunch and dinner.

"We tell people to ‘eat out to help out’ to support them, and then we tell them they all have to close.

"Small businesses, which this country relies on, will not survive. Yes, they are extending the furlough scheme, but how many more billions can we spend of taxpayers’ money before they turn off the tap?

"Remember this is their money. If you shut everything down, more and more businesses are going to need money to survive, and each one could take months, if not years to recover.

"We also have to remember that the decisions are being made by people in the pubic sector, whose jobs by on large are more secure than those in the private sector, which is being crippled by these measures.

"But this is not just about the economy – it’s about people’s health, their jobs, their futures, their aspirations."