Bury St Edmunds businesses face growing pressure after Boris Johnson urges people to avoid all non-essential social contract

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged everyone to avoid all non-essential social contact in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Mr Johnson said the public should avoid going to pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres and advised against all non-essential travel.

It follows growing pressure on businesses in Bury St Edmunds which have been hit by roadworks and customers staying away due to fear of the virus.

Mark Cordell, leader of the Our Bury St Edmunds business improvement district, said businesses in the town were facing 'difficult times'.

"With so much that is unknown, it's difficult for the businesses to be able to project very far ahead," he said.
"The major issue is customers not coming through the doors but they are also facing difficulties around staffing and their health and safety.

"They don't know what their future looks like and so it's very difficult for them to plan for it."

He added that the difficulties high street stores faced in 2019 have left them in a particularly vulnerable position.

"Many businesses won't be in the greatest financial health and so any drop in business is going to have a big impact," he said.

"Pair that with the roadworks on Tayfen Road and Angel Hill, it will seem to them that they're getting it from all angles.

"We'd urge people to use online options for local businesses where possible."

David Marjoram, who owns The One Bull pub and restaurant on Angel Hill as well as other pubs in the area, said it was difficult to know how to prepare ahead.

"As it stands, business in Bury has dropped by about 15 to 20 per cent but it's difficult to know whether that's due to the roadworks, building works or coronavirus," he said.

"If we continue on a downward spiral, we're working hard to mitigate against that and protect people's jobs.

"We've never had anything like this so nobody knows how bad it is going to get. It's very difficult for us to prepare for it."

This afternoon's press conference also saw Mr Johnson tell those with the most serious conditions to be 'shielded' for 12 weeks.

He said he believed the measures were 'overwhelmingly worth it to slow the spread of disease, to reduce the peak, to save lives, to minimise suffering and to give our NHS a chance."