How is the tier system impacting Stamford and Rutland businesses?
Stamford is under tier 3 restrictions, whilst Rutland is under tier 2.
Last updated 2nd Dec 2020
Today (2nd December), the country came out of a month-long lockdown and straight into a new tier system.
Stamford, alongside the whole of Lincolnshire is under the toughest rules, in tier 3.
Rutland has been placed under tier 2 restrictions, but remains surrounded by boarding areas in tier 3.
Some business are already feeling the impacts that come with the new restrictions.
Stamford, tier 3:
Jo Freeman, is the co-owner of The Yard soft play centre in Stamford:
The owners had been preparing to open up, in the hopes they'd be placed under tier 2.
The Yard Soft play Centre usually make most of their income in the winter months, as the cold weather draws in families, grandparents and children.
Jo said:
"It's really sad because Stamford is full of so many amazing independent business, unfortunately here we are again applying for government grants and furloughing our staff.
"It's very daunting for us to be closed during our peak season, we thought we'd been opening this week.
"We're tier 3, but our cases are actually lower than some places in tier 2."
What are the current rates for Stamford and Rutland?
The government website says for Rutland:
"There were 11 new people with a confirmed positive test result reported on 1 December 2020.
"Total number of people who have had a confirmed positive test result as of 1 December 2020 was 479.
"There were no new deaths within 28 days of a positive test for Coronavirus reported on 1 December 2020.
Total number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Coronavirus as of 30 November 2020 was 22."
In Stamford:
"There were 55 new people with a confirmed positive test result reported on 1 December 2020.
"Total number of people who have had a confirmed positive test result as of 1 December 2020 was 2,407.
"There was 1 new death within 28 days of a positive test for Coronavirus reported on 1 December 2020.
Total number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Coronavirus as of 30 November 2020 was 78."
Rutland, tier 2:
It's less than 24 hours since the tier systems came into force, and already some landlords in Rutland are feeling the impacts of tier 2.
Hospitality is open in this tier, but can only take bookings from households and must close by 11pm.
People can only buy alcohol, if they are having a substantial meal.
Mark Symes is the landlord at The Exeter Arms in Barrowden:
The landlords of the Exeter Arms are going to run until Sunday, when they'll make the decision whether or not it's financially viable for them to remain open.
Mark said:
"It's a real shame that hospitality, out of everything, seems to be the one trade that is happily sacrificed on the alter of covid.
"January for hospitality, is a tough month.
If it's not economically viable to trade in the 4 weeks before Christmas, it is absolutely not going to be viable to trade in January.
So I think myself, and most people in the industry, will be closing our businesses in January and most of February and waiting to see what happens with the roll out of the vaccine and lets hope we can actually have Easter!"
The tier system is reviewed every two weeks.