Hartlepool small businesses going into third national lockdown 'in much weaker position'

Traders say they are still feeling the effects of previous lockdowns as the latest national shutdown starts with small businesses saying they have had their toughest year in recent memory.

A new £4.6billion package of support announced by the Chancellor was welcomed, but local businesses say the lockdown will still be hard.

Janice Auton, of Totally Locally Hartlepool independents business network, said: “Albeit the announcement regarding a new grant and furlough extended to spring will help businesses, we have been hit hard by the stop-start needs to battle the spread of the coronavirus.

"Many Hartlepool independents are finding themselves in a much weaker position than at the start of the pandemic and will be working hard and creatively to survive this hopefully last lockdown.

"If ever there was a need to shop independently at your local shopping parades for your essential shopping its now.

"Hartlepool small businesses are the lifeblood of our town and this is without doubt the toughest year we have had in recent history.”

Darab Rezai, Chair of the Hartlepool Licensees Association, which represents the town’s hospitality businesses, said they hope the third lockdown will be the last.

Mr Rezai said: “We’re hoping this is the last time anybody is going to close their business again because we find it very, very difficult.

"Hopefully with the vaccine they will be able to vaccinate as many people as possible and it would be safe to open all the businesses.”

He urged the Government to focus on areas such as large work places and supermarkets to prevent the spread of the virus.

"The problem isn’t the individual trader who has followed all the rules,” he said.

"Sadly they are the ones paying the price.”

Under the new Government funding retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses will receive one-off grants of up to £9,000 to help them until the spring.

Hartlepool Borough Council leader Shane Moore said on Twitter the authority would share details of the grants when they receive them.

Mr Rezai added: “Any support is always appreciated by all traders. The most important thing is getting back to business and getting the economy going again.”

Related story: Hartlepool independents sell wares through new Amazon-style website

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