Lockdown 2: What is closed and what is open in Melton borough

Pubs, restaurants and cafes are closed to customers from tomorrow, although takeaways and deliveries are still allowed.

Most shops will also shut their doors with only supermarkets, chemists and other ‘essential’ stores such as Wilko still open for business.

Leisure facilities, including Waterfield Leisure Centre, Melton Sports Village and the town estate’s golf and camping site, on Asfordby Road, will also be closed.

Many local businesses were just getting over the loss of trade from the first lockdown, which ran from March to early July, and they now have to endure a further month of closure, at least until December 2.

The town’s iconic Dickinson and Morris store has closed its doors at a traditionally busy time in the run-up to Christmas, but stresses customers can still get access to its products.

The company states: “In light of the lockdown Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe is now closed until further notice.

“Our online shop is open for deliveries from November 24.

“Our last pre-Christmas delivery date is currently Wednesday, December 23.”

Everyone Active, which operates Melton’s leisure facilities for the borough council, confirmed they would all close from tomorrow.

The company said: “We will be contacting all members and customers directly regarding our closure and will notify everyone when we’re in a position to open again.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times.”

The Covid pandemic has caused the cancellation of Melton’s calendar of food events and the second lockdown means the last one scheduled - ChocFest - will also not now take place.

It had been planned for the weekend of November 21 and 22 in the town’s livestock market, with social distancing measures in place, but it too has now fallen victim to the crisis.

ChocFest draws around 6,000 visitors every year and its loss, along with the town’s popular East Midlands Food Festival and the Artisan Cheese Fair, are further big blows for the local economy.

Matthew O’Callaghan, the organiser of Melton food events including ChocFest, told the Melton Times: “It’s really disappointing and means that none of our events were able to take place this year.

“We hope that we can still organise the cheese fair for May 2021.”

He added that the British Pie Awards, which were cancelled this year and were due to take place in early March, were now being postponed until September when it is hoped the pandemic might have eased.

The Regal Cinema re-opened only in September and with stringent social distancing measures in place.

Owners confirmed it will close again after tonight’s showing of Hope Gap.

They said in a statement: “We’re now looking at our programming for December to make sure we can bring back as many films as possible whilst also fitting in lots of new content and Christmas classics.

“If you were booked in for a film with us we will hold your tickets (unless you request a refund), then we will be in touch to try and get you rebooked in when we have confirmed our showtimes.”

Supermarkets will, of course, remain open and Wilko confirmed today that it would also continue to trade through the second lockdown period.

The Nottingham Street-based store, which stocks a range of goods including hardware, DIY products, stationery, toiletries and food, was named as an essential retailer during the first lockdown, which ran from March to early July.

Jerome Saint-Marc, the company’s CEO, said: “As an essential retailer, we’re here to help keep your homes running smoothly.

“The safety for our customers and team members continues to be our top priority and we’ve a comprehensive safety plan in place to do just that, including store marshals, to make sure we’ve got the numbers right in our stores.”

Schools and playgroups are remaining open for this second lockdown period.

Churches will be closed for services although they will remain open for private prayer if socially distanced.

Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be allowed, but funeral services can go ahead attended by a maximum of 30 people, to include those officiating.

Local hotels are closed for leisure guests but Melton’s Sysonby Knoll Hotel is still able to provide accommodation to anyone who is travelling for work purposes, to attend a funeral or who is unable to return home.

Officials at Melton Borough Council are still finalising its lockdown plans relating to services in the new lockdown but pledge to keep residents updated.

A spokeswoman for Melton Borough Council said: “Our teams are awaiting and reviewing the most up to date guidance from the government and responding accordingly.

“Our coronavirus service updates page will be updated this week in line with the new restrictions coming into force with all the relevant and up to date information.

“We will continue to update the information on this page in line with any further government guidance that may be issued.”

Leicestershire County Council say household waste and recycling sites will remain open across the borough but visitors must pre-book a time slot.

Melton Carnegie Museum has closed for the month and the town library is only available for click and collect and digital services.

Loan dates have been extended for library users until Monday December 7 and no overdue fines will be charged between now and then.

County Hall leader Nick Rushton said: “We’re now working through what the national announcement means.

“We want to assess the full impact on services which are vital to residents.

“I know this is a worrying time for people, and supporting our residents through these continuing times of difficulty remains our absolute priority.

“I’m confident we will get through this, but it is down to all of us to follow the rules and drive down infection rates across the county.”