Sutton businessman facing closing his shop as Nottinghamshire heads for Tier 3 restrictions

The whole of Nottinghamshire will be placed in the ‘Very High Alert’ from 0.01am on Wednesday, December 2, when the national lockdown ends.

Responding to the news Sutton businessman Ray O’Connor said he was “gutted” and may close up altogether his business ‘The Shop’ on Outram Street.

Ray, who estimated his family had £200,000 invested in businesses in the Sutton area, also managers the Kickstart Gym, and his brother Mervyn runs the Oasis Bar, both on Outram Street.

“I’m gutted, absolutely disheartened and just disappointed by it all,” Ray said.

“I am of mixed feeling whether I am going to re-open my shop after nine years trading, supporting the town and fighting for traders,” said Ray who hosts a public Facebook page, for Outram Street independent traders.

“Small shop keepers will not see any Christmas trade now, and probably no trade until at least February.

“My brother is at his wits end, he doesn’t serve substantial meals in his bar, even if we go to Tier 2, it is going to be incredibly difficult, he’s already lost about 75 per cent of his trade.

“At the gym, we’ve lost 60 percent of our membership, even though we went to all the precautions, people are nervous. Since March I’d say I have lost 95 percent of my business.

“I say to people, if you find a small, local, independent retailer open, please, please support them. I was on the Covid 19 recovery committee for Ashfield District Council and I asked that we needed a town centre to work smarter and better, everyone needs to pull together now.”

Tier postcode checker: How to check which lockdown your area will be in from December 2

Mansfield’s Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said of the new restrictions: “We’ll work together within the allocated tier system for Nottinghamshire to help reduce the spread and protect our residents. It is important that we all play our part to protect the care system and the most vulnerable people in our communities by following the guidance issued by government.

"We can look forward to spending Christmas with our family (a maximum of three households) for up to five days and I would urge all Mansfield residents to do this cautiously and consider the risks associated with household mixing.

"The district council will continue to support the delivery of key services, provide business support and the latest advice for residents.”

And Ashfield’s MP Lee Anderson said: ”It’s frustrating and disappointing, but the virus figures are at least going in the right direction. I want to see us open for business again as soon as possible. I won’t be supporting any more lockdowns, we need to get back to normal, to support our local businesses. Although some traders have done well out of the situation, many have not, particularly the hospitality trade, they need as much financial help as possible.”

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley commented: “Obviously it’s disappointing to be in the highest tier, however I don’t think many local residents will be too surprised as I think it’s what most of us expected. I feel for hospitality businesses, as it’s really difficult for that sector in particular, but we’re getting towards the end of this now and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“With mass testing and the rollout of vaccinations we will soon be able to remove restrictions, so it’s important that we follow the rules and do our best to keep each other safe and keep bringing the rates down. The tiers will be reviewed in two weeks, so if we can do that then we may be able to lift some restrictions sooner.”

And Director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire Jonathan Gribbin said: “The regulations are here to protect us all and are designed to keep the rates low; and the lower the number of cases get the more likely we are to move down through the tiers and start to feel like things can return to normal again.”

Notts health chief says Tier 3 lockdown will protect the community