Coronavirus: family games making comeback as parents and traders prepare for school closures

That's one positive outcome amid a host of negatives as traders battle to keep their businesses afloat while customer numbers plummet amid the restrictions of movement to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

The effects of the social distancing measures introduced by the Government and the consequent reduction in face-to-face business have been described as 'catastrophic' by Lytham Business Partnership chairman Denize Ashton - and the town's Plackitt and Booth bookshop is among the businesses in the town which have seen a substantial reduction in footfall.

But many customers who have called in have been buying items such as playing cards and jigsaws from what shop proprietors Pat Booth and Alison Plackitt traditionally regarded as a 'sideline' to book sales.

"There has certainly been a surge in demand for traditional games - people are getting ready to be confined to home and the impending school closures have made that more apparent," said Pat.

"Business generally has been well down and there are parking spaces on the main street outside the shop now which would all normally be taken within seconds of becoming vacant.

"Alison and I will have to take turns in the shop to look after our younger children, aged 11 and 14, once the schools close. Ironically that is why we set up a bookshop 20 years ago when our eldest was six months old.

"We thought that would allow us to share stints here to cover baby care - never imagining that we would be faced with this situation two decades later."

Denize added: "The current state of the country in order to control the spread of the coronavirus is catastrophic for our high streets in general, and even more so here as ours are small independent business without any other forms of support or income.

"They are having to make individual decisions on a daily basis about their own, their families' and their customers' health against the survival of their business, which has to be a very tough decision indeed

"The schools shutting down will also have a knock-on effect for working parents.

"We urge the public to (safely) support where ever possible those staying open and providing delivery. "