Businesses in north Kirklees refused to beaten as country enters second lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pulled down the shutters with a stay-at-home message to combat Covid-19.

The lockdown was due to start today (Thursday) and run until December 2.

Though down, business owners in Dewsbury, Mirfield, Batley and Spen were refusing to be counted out.

For young Dewsbury entrepreneur Brad Walton his upmarket barber’s shop only opened on Monday of last week.

Nine days after opening Headhunters The Gentleman’s Quarters in Huddersfield Road, Scout Hill, he was locking the doors while remaining philosophical.

“Obviously we didn’t expect this but you have to deal with it,” said Brad, who will turn 21 during lockdown.

“We had a successful first few days and now we’ve got to close. We won’t be curling up and feeling sorry for ourselves.

“We are going to stay positive and motivated. You have to adapt and deal with whatever is thrown at you.”

Jessica Roebuck, who runs Crafty Kids, the former Timmy Tigers play gym in Union Street, Heckmondwike, said it was “devastating” to have to close again.

She only bought the business in January and said: “We haven’t had the chance to find out what the business is capable of.

“We have weathered the storm so far but since we re-opened after the first lockdown it’s been difficult running a business at 40% capacity. None of the bills are 40%.

“The winter months should be our busiest time. It’s devastating.”

Donna Coe at gift shop Mirfield Emporium said she was determined to keep people’s spirits up.

Donna and her staff kept the Mirfield town centre shop open until 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and business was hectic.

Preparing for lockdown, she said: “We learned so many lessons from last time. Our customers never let us down and we won’t let them down.

“We are staying positive because there is too much negativity about. We will do whatever it takes to keep people smiling.”

Donna says her business will continue behind closed doors with click and collect, free doorstep deliveries and a postal service.

John Foulstone, of The Woodman Inn in Batley Carr, one of the district’s longest-serving landlords, said pubs were “easy targets” for the Government.