Wrexham businesses and shoppers react to the Welsh Government's two-week 'fire-break' lockdown

Wales will enter the lockdown at 6pm on October 23 until November 9, which will see people being told to stay at home, with pubs, restaurants, hotels and non-essential shops shutting.

Steven Vale, owner of the Caroline's Viennese Patisserie shop, located in Central Arcade, stated that although he agrees with the Welsh Government's decision to enforce another lockdown to reduce the spread of the virus, small businesses like his will ultimately suffer the consequences.

He said: "There are large businesses, medium size businesses, small businesses and us, the micro business.

"We do not have a huge turnover and employ three people plus myself.

"We purchased the business as a going concern seven years ago and Caroline’s has been around nearly 50 years now.

"We do not make a fortune and are happy providing a good service meeting nice people and earning an honest living.

"Due to lack of footfall since the first lockdown, we have not made enough money to meet the running costs of our business.

"The wages, rent, electricity, water rates, cost of stock, running repairs etc even for a micro business are usually around two-thirds of turnover, however as our footfall and turnover has dropped by a staggering 60 per cent the sums no longer add up and the question is do you hang on and hope you emerge the other side?

"Not such a simple question when you have to take into consideration the effect of closure on your staff and customers."

The Leader took to the streets of Wrexham town centre to ask shoppers for their thoughts on the upcoming fire-break lockdown and what impact they believe it could have on the town centre.

Matty Jones, 28, from Wrexham, said: "It's a joke. I have friends who are small business owners and they don't know whether they're coming or going.

"They don't need the added stress of another lockdown to be honest, they've got bills to pay and children to feed."

Stacey Roberts, from Llay, highlighted that despite the uncertainty, it is vital that the whole of Wrexham stands together to support small businesses, especially in the run up to the festive season.

She said: "I do feel sorry for small business traders, as they will be losing income due to this lockdown.

"Many people will be tempted to buy online but we should all try and support them when it comes to doing our Christmas shopping, as they will need our support now more than ever."

Angela Pugh, 68, added: "It's a shame that we're entering another lockdown.

"I will miss visiting the town centre because it's one thing that gets me out of the house each week.

"I know the lockdown will only be for two weeks but with basically everywhere shut, it will become a very lonely time."

Ashley Evans, 33, echoed: "I fear that with all these lockdowns, regardless of how long they are enforced for, will have a huge impact on people's mental health.

"People will become more isolated and business owners will be worried about losing income and the uncertainty of not knowing whether any more lockdowns will be enforced, especially in the lead up to Christmas."

Ruth Rees, co-owner of Martin Rees Jewellers, stated that although her business is allowed to stay open during the two-week lockdown period, due to pawnbroking services being classed as essential, she feels saddened for other traders who cannot open but understands why the Welsh Government has enforced this.

She said: "I think a lot of businesses kind of predicated that another lockdown would eventually happen, so it's kind of a relief that we finally know where we stand.

"Our business will be open for pawnbroking, gold buying, and sending off online orders, we will not be selling jewellery in the shop, or booking any repairs in, till lockdown is over.

"However, despite another lockdown happening, the people of Wrexham are amazingly resilient and loyal, so I'm sure we can overcome this."

Wayne Price, chair of Wrexham Town Centre Forum, added: "It seems most of Europe is choosing the same lockdown path.

"For me, I always try to look for the silver lining in any problem and the silver lining in this case, is at least businesses have 17 days of certainty.

"They've got 17 days to look at Government grants such as the Economic Resilience Fund in order to look at ways that they could evolve their business model; apply for local council grants such as the Property Investment Development Grant or the £2,000 Covid grant, or evaluate the Bounceback Loan.

"What I'm concerned about is the black hole left between the different job wage compensation schemes start and end dates, which could result in some extra redundancies for their staff.

"I hope the politicians of all colours can come together to find a solution.

"I am also concerned about the lack of clarity for what happens after the fire-break lockdown ends on November 9, as businesses need to plan with Christmas coming up but nobody seems to predict what will happen next."