Coronavirus crisis: Grantham under Lockdown: The sequel!

By The Editor

5th Nov 2020 | Local News

Well, here we go again!

It is now time for Lockdown 2, the sequel.

You may remember the first lockdown and my first foray into Grantham during it, as reported here.

So how is it this time?

Well, as I walked onto Springfield Road, there were still cars, it most certainly wasn't like that Will Smith movie 'I am Legend', where he an his dog try and avoid zombies in a pandemic hit New York.

Indeed, early this morning Springfield Road was as choked with traffic as it ever was, as under this lockdown the schools are open and that morning run with the kids must still be done.

You still avoid other pedestrians, but this time, perhaps half were wearing facemasks, compared to hardly any in the first lockdown as the government was unconvinced then they brought any safety benefits.

I passed the Springfield Arms, which has yet to re-open from the first lockdown.

Then, it was the award-winning Wellies fish and chip shop, with a couple waiting outside for their take-aways.

I passed the new Co-op and headed towards KFC, where I called inside and did not have to wait long for lunch.

I was keen for a sit down, but you cannot eat inside and signs outside said the seats by the Costa cafe, which was open for take-outs, were not to be used. The adjoining Burger King was closed.

Heading into town I walked through Westgate, where Watkins the butchers was open, as was Kitchen and Coffee for take-outs but Cafe Leo had a sign saying it would be closed until further notice.

Further up, more cafes were closed, with the exception of the Retro Bar, which was doing take-outs.

Here, economic victims of lockdown could be seen, including the Sabor Lusitano restaurant and Feelgood Fitness.

Around the corner were more empty premises, but a few Christmas decorations on Lindpet House contrasted with the bleak emptiness of Market Square.

Further along, the Asda car park looked busy but there were no queues this time, and the same was true of Lidl.

For once, the ever popular Nobody Inn lived up to its name and Beerheadz, up the road in Watergate, was equally sat in darkness.

But I did pass a shop offering click and collect fireworks.

Back into town I passed more empty shops, including the Cancer Research charity shop requesting people do not leave donations in their doorway.

Estate agents were open for appointments and you could see staff inside some of them.

B&M was open as was WH Smith.

More victims of the first lockdown could be seen, including the permanently-closed Clinton Cards and Pizza Express, along with Bon Marche, advertising its closing down sale.

On St Peter's Hill were more closed for lockdown businesses, including the popular Cinco Lounge. A plastic-covered plinth still awaits a statue of Margaret Thatcher.

Passing an empty Wetherspoons I saw queues outside a Boots Chemist, but despite a reasonably full car park, Sainsbury's did not have anyone queuing to get in. However, a few were queuing for Marks and Spencer.

After a bit of shopping, it was past the former Pizza Hut, another lockdown victim, where signs had been removed, replaced with others to say the premises are on the market.

McDonald's looked open and then it was under the railway bridge and home.

     

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