Chesterfield shop owners react as Derbyshire escalated into Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions

Health secretary Matt Hancock announced that the county will join swathes of the Midlands in the strictest level of rules to try to halt the spread of new variants of the virus.

In Tier 4, you cannot meet other people indoors unless you live with them or they are part of your existing support bubble.

Non-essential shops, hairdressers and gyms must close their doors.

Politicians in Derbyshire say the move is ‘disappointing’ but not unexpected.

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, tweeted: “There is light at the end of the tunnel but, in the short term, we have a real challenge.”

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Chesterfield independent businesses say the news is another disappointment, but have urged people to continue supporting them by shopping online and using click and collect services.

Laura Jo Owen, of Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield, said public health and the NHS must be the priority.

"Our lovely customers were absolutely wonderful during the last two lockdowns, supporting us by shopping through our website and keeping up to date with us on Facebook and Instagram,” Laura Jo said.

“While we’re in Tier Four we’ll be continuing our free local delivery, pop over to our website for details.

“Derbyshire people are community minded and resilient. We’ll keep moving forward with a positive mindset and look forward to welcoming you back to our shops as soon as we can.”

Lisa Swift, of Shop Indie, in the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, said: “The news that we are being moved into Tier Four and therefore required to close our shop is frustrating but not unexpected.

"We will be continuing to offer click and collect and local delivery services whilst our shop is closed, details of which will be available on our website at www.shopindie.co.uk."

Emily Lord, of Fred’s Haberdashery, said her business had been preparing for the possibility of further restrictions since before Christmas.

“I would like to make our customers aware that we can take orders over the telephone and deliver locally to S40 and S41 postcodes,” she said.

"I'm sure we are not alone in this and would urge people to pick up the phone to access their local independent shops.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.