‘Everybody would be in trouble’ – Sheffield businesses speak of fears over tier three coronavirus restrictions

Businesses in Sheffield have spoken of their fears for the future if ‘tier three’ coronavirus restrictions are imposed on the city.
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Sheffield was plunged into a second lockdown earlier this week when the Government moved the whole of South Yorkshire into the second-highest ‘tier two’ restrictions.

These ban households from mixing in pubs and restaurants, but allow most other shops to stay open while maintaining the 10pm curfew and ‘rule of six’ both indoors and outdoors.

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However, if the city is moved up to tier three in the next few weeks as expected, all hospitality will have to close, with many Sheffield businesses saying it would sound the death knell for their firms.

Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Picture: Chris EtchellsBusiness reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Picture: Chris Etchells
Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Picture: Chris Etchells

On Friday morning, The Star spoke to four businesses in Sheffield city centre to ask them how they were currently coping and what they thought might happen in the future.

Donna Maw at Moor News said: “Things are okay for me at the moment. I’m not like I used to be and I think if we got tier three everybody would be in trouble.

“I’m hoping I’d be able to survive as I wouldn’t have to close. I closed for 10 weeks earlier this year but we’ve managed to build it back up.”

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Deena Peruzzi at Burger Grill on the Moor said: “We would be able to stay open as we’re a takeaway but we’d have to remove the tables and chairs.

Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Donna Maw from Moor News. Picture: Chris EtchellsBusiness reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Donna Maw from Moor News. Picture: Chris Etchells
Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Donna Maw from Moor News. Picture: Chris Etchells

“Lots of our customers are elderly and come down to socialise but if they cant sit down they aren’t going to come."

Helen Cavill at Lynne’s Pantry on Surrey Street said: “We just haven’t got the footfall any more. It’s normally hectic on this street but everybody’s struggling on this street at the moment.

“It’s very slow now but if we go into another full lockdown it is going to be devastating for small businesses.”

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And Emily Lewis from the Blue Moon Cafe said: “Our income has already halved since the tier two restrictions were bought in.

Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Deena Perrozzi. Picture: Chris EtchellsBusiness reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Deena Perrozzi. Picture: Chris Etchells
Business reaction to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in Sheffield. Pictured is Deena Perrozzi. Picture: Chris Etchells

“Under tier three cafes don’t have to close but if there is no Government money then we’re very likely to have to close.”

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