SHOPPERS are being urged to return to the high street to support independent businesses on a knife-edge because of the pandemic.

Independent traders in Grange Road, Darlington, say there has been virtually no footfall since they opened for business last Monday.

They are increasingly frustrated in their battle with Darlington Borough Council about placing red and white barriers outside their shops to prevent on street parking.

"I'm so frustrated by it," said Darren Syddall, owner of Origins. "I've never been so passionate about what we do as traders.

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"We're trying to give back and look after our customers.But our older customers can't get in and they are a massive part of our business."

On Saturday, he was becoming increasingly angry.

He added: "It's been very quiet. I've had about a dozen customers. It's down about 75 per cent on last year's father's day weekend.

"This is the fourth weekend the cafe has been open for takeaway and its down about 90 per cent since these changes were made last week.

"I feel beat. It's my livelihood. I'm trying to adapt but there's so much to adapt to."

He, along with other small business owners in Grange Road and Northumbria Street, is struggling to understand the logic of the restrictions, when other roads, both in Darlington and further afield, do not have such extreme measures.

Darlington Borough Council, which says it is talking to businesses about the measures, has put in the barriers to widen footpaths, creating space for queues outside shops and social distancing.

Last week, council leader Heather Scott described them as "over the top", and Darlington's MP Peter Gibson said it was "overkill".

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Mr Gibson visited shops on Saturday to discuss the issue.

He said: "I'm doing all I can for common sense to prevail but the council has responsibility to maintain public health and they are about making sure social distancing can take place.

"If measures to reduce the 2m distance are made, it's possible they can be removed.

"We can agree red and white on the road means danger and it sends an unfortunate signal."

He added: "I'm delighted to see so many businesses are open. It's really important people appreciate that the car parking is free in the town centre, the market is back in the Market Place and people can come and shop.

"If we can buy something from a small independent retailer in town it means money stays in the town centre."

Bill Gillow, of Geoffrey Gillow clothes shop, the longest established business in the street, asked for the council to consider alternatives, like a one-way system.

"It's been desperate," he said. "Customers can't believe what they are seeing.

"All businesses are going through the worst period of trade in their existence. For the council to impose this is kicking us while we're down.

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"I thought father's day would be bigger than most years because it's an excuse for people to come out but it hasn't happened for us."

Amber Kottori, who opened House of Zana in November, said: "I don't know how other businesses have found it but we thought a lot of people would be coming in. We were expecting more footfall bit it's very quiet. I don't know if its because of parking or because people are worried."

She has been adapting by increasing online sales and using her quieter-than-usual shop as a backdrop for fashion shoots to market clothes, and has increased productions of face masks.

"They're our best sellers," she said. "That's what is getting us through at the moment."

She added: "Although its really tempting to go back to a big shop, we need the support more than ever to get through this. Even if people pop in to say hi it shows us a bit of support.

"Local businesses need all the support we can get."