TRADERS in the Tyne Valley have encouraged residents to continue to shop local despite increased lockdown measures in Northumberland.

New restrictions on the North-East were introduced last week and include a ban on households mixing with other households, a 10pm curfew on pubs, restaurants and bars, and restrictions on non-essential public transport.

The restrictions are in addition to new measures announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday after the health secretary Matt Hancock said the Government had seen ‘concerning’ rates of infection in the North-East.

Eileen Armstrong, who owns Mr Ant’s Bar in Hexham, said the restrictions will no doubt have a detrimental impact on future trading.

She said: “I think all the businesses in Hexham are incredibly disappointed because everybody has worked really hard to ensure their premises’ are safe.

“We’ve already got reduced capacity and can’t run events so we are being squashed by the current restrictions.”

Eleanor Clark, from the Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade, reflected on a “very difficult year for trading.”

She said: “Shops were shut for three months and there are still some customers not shopping.

“At the moment we have got lots of visitors around but there’s a long winter ahead for everybody.

“We’re trying to keep positive and we appreciate the custom the shops have had.”

Mrs Davidson added: “We’re really grateful for the support we have received and people need to continue to support local businesses otherwise there will be none left.”

Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman said the increased social-distancing measures are “tough but necessary”, due to arising number of Covid-19 cases in the Tyne Valley.