Facing up to a new shopping habit

Shopping is going to be rather different from Friday – and Fylde folk are being urged to embrace the new routine as facemasks become compulsory in stores.
Masks will be compulsory in shops from Friday, July 24Masks will be compulsory in shops from Friday, July 24
Masks will be compulsory in shops from Friday, July 24

In tandem with social distancing, the new measure is designed to help the public and the economy back to some kind of normality while the wait for a vaccine for Covid-19 goes on.

But some traders have expressed concern at how it might be policed, while officials at newly-reopened Lytham Hall and businesses already following social distancing measures have highlighted the reluctance of a small minority of customers to comply.

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Linda Deacon, proprietor of the Bonney Fabrics and Wool shop in St Annes, said: “Masks are a good idea - it’s important to do all we can stop any spread of Covid.

Joanne Griffiths from St Annes has been busy making facemasks in aid of Trinity Hospice. Picture: Alison Greenwood Photography.Joanne Griffiths from St Annes has been busy making facemasks in aid of Trinity Hospice. Picture: Alison Greenwood Photography.
Joanne Griffiths from St Annes has been busy making facemasks in aid of Trinity Hospice. Picture: Alison Greenwood Photography.

“We are selling masks in the shop in aid of charity and I wear one myself.

“But what concerns me is the enforcement of it. What happens if someone comes into the shop without one and refuses to put one on? Do I call the police?

“Some guidance on what happens in such circumstances would be welcome.”

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Lytham Hall reopened on Saturday after a four-month closure and general manager Peter Anthony said there had been “a couple” of refusals to take part in the Government’s track and trace scheme.

“They were nasty to the staff as they think it’s an infringement of their privacy, but what can one do?” said Peter.

“Employees in the service industry are only being responsible and carrying out the wishes of the Government.”

Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: “Wearing a facemask has been brought in to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, and to help businesses open as fully as possible.

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“It is not a great imposition for the vast majority of people and hopefully will be in place for a short time, should we all adhere to the rules and infection rates fall further.

“I hope everyone wears their facemasks in shops, and continues respecting social distancing rules while we all work together to beat this dreadful virus.”

Fylde Council leader Coun Karen Buckley said: “The virus is still with us and we need to continue to stay alert to stay safe, continue to follow social distancing and the guidelines provided by central Government.

“Wearing a mask in shops becomes mandatory from July 24 in order to protect others as well as yourself.

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“I know our residents and businesses will continue to do what they can to help to reduce the spread of the virus, and I thank them again for their efforts to keep our borough safe.”

Zoe Hogg, manager of the Trinity Hospice charity shop in Lytham, said: “It’s a very welcome measure and I’m sure our customers will be happy to adhere to it.

“Personally, I have been wearing one in shops for some time and the other day, I was actually thanked by a shopkeeper for wearing one.

“I said she was welcome, but the woman in the queue behind me said if she had to wear a mask, she wouldn’t be bothered shopping there, so it’s perhaps still a little concerning how people will take to it.”

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A St Annes woman who has been making facemasks in aid of Trinity Hospice says she has been inundated with requests since it was announced they would be mandatory in shops,

Joanne Griffiths, whose masks are on sale at Bonney Fabrics and Wool on St Andrew’s Road South and at Cohen’s Chemists on Highbury Road, said: “Since the Prime Minister’s announcement, it has gone crazy for masks, and we started to take pre-orders.

“I have now made around 200 to 300 masks and so far I have raised just over £500 which is over and above anything I expected to raise.”

Meanwhile, Heartflower By The Sea, which had been selling masks, as illustrated at the top of this report, in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, will have them available in St Annes Square on Saturday from 11am.

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