'We've moved heaven and earth already': Business owners and pubs react as Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire move into tier 2 'high' level lockdown from Saturday

Both areas will be moved up into the ‘high’ level tier of lockdown measures from Saturday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed today.

Politicians have urged residents to follow the new rules so ‘we can get out of high as soon as possible’ while businesses prepared to make more changes to the way they operate.

Trevor Marples, owner of Chesterfield’s Spotted Frog and the Butcher’s Arms in Brimington, said the ban on households mixing would make running pubs a ‘logistical nightmare’.

"We have moved heaven and earth already to stay open and make our venues a safe and positive place to be,” he said.

"We had bookings for tables this weekend as there was plenty of football but it is difficult to know how many will be cancelled now.

"But what can you do? It is difficult but we will try to remain positive.”

Claire Wood, owner of Stephenson Tea And Coffee House, said she was sure the change in tiers would have an impact on trade but is confident her business can ‘bounce back stronger again’.

"It is bound to have some effect but trade here has remained buoyant,” she said.

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"We are fortunate that we have an excellent reputation for hygiene and have a venue large enough to maintain social distancing.”

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said: “Something has to be done as we are seeing escalating case numbers but I am not confident that the measures that government are proposing are the right ones.”

Mr Perkins backed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s call for a national circuit breaker for two weeks.

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, said it was clear ’there is a significant increase in cases all across North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield’.

"Given the quick increase, it was increasingly likely that additional restrictions would be proposed for our area and that has now resulted in us moving up a tier.

"We know that this will cause challenges for residents and our immediate focus now will be on helping to get on top of this outbreak so we can go back down a tier as soon as possible.”

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