Second Covid lockdown will have 'devastating' impact on Oxfordshire businesses

That is the warning from a member of a city traders’ group after Boris Johnson announced England would begin four weeks of tougher restrictions on Thursday.

All non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and leisure facilities will close under the new guidelines, and people can only leave the house for essential activities.

While another shutdown is deemed unavoidable in the face of rising coronavirus cases, the Labour leader of Oxford City Council said it comes ‘a month too late’.

Read also: What do Oxford Mail readers think of a second lockdown?

It heaps more misery on firms, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, who were hoping for a strong Christmas after a miserable year.

Graham Jones, of Oxford traders’ group ROX, said: “It’s going to be pretty devastating.

“Retail businesses can get half a year’s worth of sales in the lead up to Christmas.

“The hospitality industry has done its best to follow the rules and it's got this major setback now.

“It’s a very difficult time to have this, but it seems like the only option.”

The lockdown will last until at least December 2, wiping out much of retail’s ‘golden quarter’ – the three months leading up to Christmas and New Year.

Read also: Pubs and restaurants fear for future under tier 2

Pubs and restaurants across Oxford already feared for their future after the city was put into tier 2 restrictions – which prevents households mixing indoors – on Saturday.

Even if the country returns to regional curbs after four weeks, Mr Jones is concerned it may not herald a Christmas rush.

Graham Jones

He said: “If you look at what happened in July, for a long time it was quiet because people were being very cagey.”

Households can only mix indoors for childcare and other support under the new rules, while groups of no more than two can meet outside.

Schools, colleges and universities will stay open, but anyone able to work from home must do so and non-essential travel should be avoided.

Read also: Council's Covid recovery plan approved

People can only leave their houses for education, exercise, medical appointments or to buy essential goods.

The rules will be voted on in Parliament on Wednesday, but Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown felt the government had been too slow.

She said: “I'm relieved the government has finally taken this decision, but it’s about a month too late.

“It’s probably going to be much longer and harder and the fact we’re doing it a week after half term is particularly unhelpful.

Susan Brown

“It’s important we take this opportunity to protect the NHS and get the infection rate down.

“We all want to be able to join our families at Christmas.”

Ms Brown added the Labour-led authority would do ‘all it can’ to support businesses.

It comes after she joined Oxfordshire’s other council leaders in calling for the whole county to be put into tier 2 last week.

That included Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, who said: “It’s disappointing that we’ve had to go into a national lockdown, but as we have seen in Oxfordshire the trend of the virus is to spread into older age groups.

“We must do everything within our power to stop the spread of the virus to save lives and protect the NHS.

“Oxfordshire County Council will be working with communities to ensure residents that require help will receive it.

Ian Hudspeth

“By acting now we should be able to stop the spread of the virus to enable us to lift the restrictions for Christmas.

“There will be changes to some of our services such as libraries, as happened during the first lockdown.

“However, we will re-deploy staff to work in other areas of the council that will see an increase in demand for services.

“We will work closely with all our local authority and health colleagues to ensure the best services possible for all of Oxfordshire’s residents.”

Read also: Week-long wait to get Covid test results back

Coronavirus cases increased in all district areas of Oxfordshire in the week ending October 25.

Cherwell experienced the highest infection rate per 100,000 people with 157.5, followed by Oxford on 137.7.

Oxford East MP for Labour and shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds claimed there was not enough clarity for businesses, although the government's furlough scheme will continue for the second lockdown.

She tweeted: “Many will be wondering how they’ll cope - from the self-employed to those on short contracts, and seeking work.

“Dither and delay has damaged public health.

“The lack of clarity on support - aside from a sentence or two on furlough - is inexcusable.”

Speaking to the Oxford Mail she added: “Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections, hospital admissions and - tragically - the number of deaths.

“I'm glad that the Government has finally taken this decision - but it should have done so weeks ago.

“The delay in introducing restrictions will come at an economic cost and a human cost.

”I know many businesses in Oxford will be concerned by the news. Better, faster and more targeted support for jobs and businesses is essential to avoid more economic damage.”

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, added: "The Government’s approach to the pandemic has already led us to a worst-of-both-worlds situation in which we have among the highest number of deaths and worst economic outlook anywhere.

"Oxfordshire is in a worse position than it would have been had government listened to officials and leaders on the ground.”