“The longer it lasts, the harder it’s going to be”- Salford business owners express mixed views over new Covid restrictions

Shop workers in Eccles have expressed generally supportive views over new Covid restrictions

The governments Plan B options include reintroducing mandatory mask wearing in certain venues and working from home where possible.

Wendy Vickers owns a sewing shop in the markets of Eccles. When asked if she agreed with the return of the masks she said: “I do yeah. If it’s saving people’s lives, then definitely.

“I think the lockdowns we’ve already had have affected businesses massively. This place is nothing like it used to be, it’s hard to make a living. But hopefully when it does get all over and finished with, people will come back.”

“There’s still a lot of people that are not going out yet, especially with the restrictions being brought back, it just puts fear in them and they’re staying in, they’re buying online.”

When asked if she had fears about her business closing due to another potential lockdown, she said: “Not really because this business has been going for over 50-years so I do have certain customers.

“So no, I don’t think at the moment. But the longer it lasts, the more it is affecting people.”

Darren Pack, who works at Eccles Coffee Bar, said: “We’re creating a very divisive society. This isn’t good for your average, normal person. The poorer are getting poorer.

When asked his opinion on the alleged Number 10 Downing Street Christmas party, he said: “Are we going to honestly stand here and act surprised? These people are taking the mickey out of all of us.

“Because of these new restrictions being brought in and everybody arguing about this, it’ll soon be forgotten about.”

The owner of an electronics shop on the markets, said: “We’ve all got to be vaccinated, we’ve all got to get on with it and do our bit, otherwise it could get out of hand.

Speaking about the new restrictions, he said: “I agree with it wholeheartedly because if we don’t do something about it, it could kill humanity in essence.

When asked about another lockdown, he said: “Small businesses that couldn’t survive anyway would probably suffer.”