A business owner has started a petition to ‘Unlock Bangor’ to save local businesses.

Shona Prytherch, of Just Nails & Beauty on the High Street, says the localised lockdown is “killing small businesses” and fears there will be “nothing left in Bangor”.

Eight wards in the city went into a ’hyper-local lockdown’ on Saturday, 10 October, which means people can’t enter or leave Bangor without a ‘reasonable excuse’ – such as travelling for work or health reasons.

The Welsh Government said Bangor had seen a significant cluster of cases and the incident rate stands at about 400 cases per 100,000 people. It said cases are appeared to be closely associated with young people and the student population.

Business Owner Shona said: “I have had a business in Bangor city centre for 16 years, some parts have not always been easy but these new restrictions are going to destroy everything we have all worked so hard for.

“Our city is already struggling and we business owners need to stand together, as a community can not allow this to happen. We may one day soon, I hope, come away from this virus and attempt to live normal life but what will we have left?

“The impact of this lockdown is going to be catastrophic to every business, not just mine, in the area . Our city centre is not the best but without small independent businesses we will have nothing left.

“So many parts of Bangor are not allowed into the city centre but we are still expected to continue trading with very little help from the government. I have already spent hours of my time and countless amounts on PPE to keep all staff and clients safe when visiting my salon.

“We have gone over and above the guidelines the government have given us to ensure everyone safety. And due to the fact we live and work in a university city through no fault of our own we now all run the risk of losing our businesses because they see it fit to lockdown the city centre but not deal with the problem that has caused this.

“We have been overrun with tourism and now students. I totally understand we need both and in normal times I’m so grateful for them, but in these uncertain times we need to protect the city we live in . And not penalise the local residents of this area who will have nothing left after the restrictions are lifted . I’m sure I can’t be the only person who feels this way.”

Over 100 people have already signed the petition, for more information click this link:
http://chng.it/2GXyFVKTTv