Darlington traders speak out about impact of coronavirus

A notice displayed by the store in Queen Street Shopping Centre confirmed that from Wednesday (March 18), the first two hours of trading would be exclusively for the use to the elderly and vulnerable.

The Northern Echo understands that other Iceland stores around the region are following a similar example trialled successfully by a store in Northern Ireland.

A staff member said that they were hoping people in Darlington would read the notices to make people aware.

Meanwhile, traders and residents around Darlington have spoken about the impact that the coronavirus is having on their businesses.

Michael Nixon, 61, from Darlington, said: "I've got friends who have a social worker who has been collecting the money through the letter box. She said to me, aren't you bothered about it? I suppose I would be if I had children.

"I am 61 now I've got to go out, I've got to do bits and bobs. I have to go about my day-to-day.

"Yesterday it was extremely busy, just like any other normal day. It's just one of those things, I know it's quite frightening. I listen to the radio a lot. I've seen the news the last two nights at a friends, it's all about it. I just think it's all going to come to a meltdown. They've closed The Dolphin Centre now.

"You never get a straight answer from politicians anyway."

Shops continue to have empty shelves with Savers having no liquid soap at all.

Skinnergate in Darlington was also notably quiet today (Tuesday).

Peter Cowles, 39, who is a Big Issue seller, said: "It's been a real struggle the last couple of weeks. But I have seen more people than last week, it's a struggle for everybody."

Lewis McGreal, owner of Just a Fiver store, said: "It's getting a lot worse. People are just staying in, taking the advice they've been given. It's impossible to say what happens next. Trade has dropped by 50 per cent already - half of what it would normally be."

Hatch Luncheonette and Hash Bar and Kitchen, both based in Darlington spoke of how things are declining.

Jasmin Robson, the owner, said: "We were okay at the weekend. Obviously after the Boris announcement last night it's quite worrying I would prefer him to say that we should close for two weeks instead of him saying that customers shouldn't go in.

"Our customers are quite supportive they have made a point of coming in. Until he [Prime Minister Boris Johnson] tells us to close it's difficult for us to close. We've still got staff and produce - if we close it has a knock-on effect, we use a lot of local suppliers. Either tell us to close for the next two weeks or go on lockdown. When I was watching the telly last night I was waiting for him to say either way but he didn't.

"We're hoping for another announcement this afternoon to announce new measures from the Chancellor.

"There is a clause in the business insurance - business interruption policy but we won't be able to claim on that until he says to close. Has he [The Prime Minister] done it for that reason, I'd like to think he hasn't.

"It's confusing for the public - kids are going to school but we can't go to pubs or cafes - to the public it doesn't make sense."