Derry/Londonderry businesses start to close before fresh restrictions come into effect

By Rebecca Black, PA

Scores of restaurants and pubs in Derry/Londonderry have closed days ahead of fresh restrictions.

Movement and trading in the local council area, which also covers Strabane in Co Tyrone, will be limited from Monday in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.

From having one of the lowest virus prevalence rates in the UK, Derry City and Strabane now is among the highest.

The rate has soared to a seven-day average of 422.8 cases per 100,000 people, a 100 rise on Thursday’s rate.

Redmond McFadden, president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, said traders are disappointed but understand the numbers dictate the outcome.

It comes as a particular blow after the annual Halloween festival, which brings tens of thousands of visitors to the city, was cancelled.

Mr McFadden has urged Stormont and Westminster to step in with support for businesses, as many have closed early before the restrictions come into effect.

“It just shows you how responsible the business community is in the north west – in March they closed when they didn’t have to, before St Patrick’s Day, to ensure the safety of the population,” he said.

“That’s what a number of them have done again. Their civic responsibility is clear for anyone to see.

“But that’s another weekend of trading those businesses are going to have to forfeit and they can’t afford to do that.”

Mr McFadden said he will be speaking with Economy Minister Diane Dodds.

“We will be calling on the Executive to ensure there is support for businesses who are potentially put at risk as a result of this, we need to find some way of supporting them,” he said.

“Also, we will be pressing Westminster to look again at the furlough scheme because we’re worried about what happens at the end of October, and thousands of jobs going. We can ill afford that.”

Sean McLaughlin, proprietor of the George’s Bar on Bishop’s Street, said the fresh restrictions are particularly tough for the wet pubs coming just a week after they were able to reopen for the first time since lockdown in March.

“If it has to be closed down, it has to be closed down,” he said.

“We know that the rate has gone very high in Derry, but we just can’t understand why wet pubs and restaurants are getting closed when everywhere else is able to stay open.”

Mr McLaughlin said they have already lost three members of staff since the first lockdown.

“We have decided to stay open because we got stock delivered and they didn’t give us enough time to cancel it,” he said.

“We’ll stay open until Monday to try and get rid of our stock.”

He has urged a financial support package for pubs.

“We were only able to open for eight days,” he said.

“We got £10,000 grant at the start of the lockdown, which only covered rent on the property, nothing else.

“The future will be up in the air for the bar, and the four or five staff who are in there at the minute.”