'This is bonkers' - council leader brands Boris Johnson’s tough new crackdown as an 'existential threat' to Harborough's shops

The furious leader of Harborough council is branding the Government’s decision to shut embattled ‘non-essential shops’ during the current Covid-19 lockdown as “bonkers”.

Cllr Phil King accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial move to impose a tough new crackdown in a bid to beat the coronavirus as an “existential threat” to our high streets – turning them into “wastelands”.

The incensed Conservative council chief warned that some struggling Harborough businesses will not survive the devastating pandemic crisis after being battered for eight months.

Cllr King is now calling on his fellow Tory government to urgently execute a stunning U-turn – and allow stores such as clothes and shoe shops to re-open now.

“I was standing on St Mary’s Place in Market Harborough the other day and I looked around and I just thought to myself ‘this is bonkers’.

“We had thriving superstores such as Sainsbury’s open and busy as normal.

“But smaller independent local shops were shut and lifeless,” said Cllr King.

“We are fast destroying our high streets in towns such as Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Kibworth and Broughton Astley.

“Our once hectic, bustling town centres are facing nothing less than an existential crisis.

“I have made my serious concerns known about this hugely-worrying issue in no uncertain terms to our Harborough MP Neil O’Brien.

“A Conservative government should be supporting and getting behind our fantastic entrepreneurs and business men and women – not making life so much harder for them.

“Our smaller businesses are facing the biggest crisis in our retail history – and I am sure that some will not survive.

“They won’t re-open when all of this is over – they will say ‘that’s it, we’ve simply had enough’.”

The long-serving councillor said they are seeking crucial talks with the owners of St Mary’s Place as the recent closure of Argos has left a number of empty units in Market Harborough town centre.

“We want to talk to the owners urgently to try to understand how they are going to deal with the pandemic crisis.

“It’s vital that we all work together to try to bring new business blood into our town centre.

“Personally I can’t work out why I am able to look at a very limited range of winter wear and footwear in our supermarkets,” insisted Cllr King.

“But I can’t go into a proper clothes store or shoe shop to choose what I really want because they have been closed.

“Where is the sense in that – it’s completely illogical!

“The evidence and data show anyway that there’s far more chance of being infected by this virus by people visiting your home rather than while you are out shopping.

“Who wants to buy a new pair of shoes or boots or order a new winter coat or jacket online for heaven’s sake?

“Many older people don’t have access to computers for a start.

“And what are the chances of footwear or clothes fitting properly when they do finally turn up in the post?

“The Government is handing a critical competitive advantage and edge to the large chains who are already doing very well during these Covid lockdowns,” stressed Cllr King.

“We are running up to Christmas – the most important time of the year for so many retailers – and they are shuttered up, their doors closed and locked.

“It’s not right.

“We are looking at turning our high streets into wastelands.

“The Government has got to urgently review its entire policy now.

“Market Harborough is unique because of our brilliant local independent boutique-type shops and outlets.

“We do not want to see these disappear for ever for all sorts of reasons.

“The people who are pouring their hard-earned cash into them and risking their capital and their futures deserve all the support we can give them.

“We do not want to see even more jobs wiped out as staff would go too,” said the angry Harborough council boss.

“We will lose their business rates and tax income – and most of all we will miss having these outstanding businesses on our front doorsteps.

“The Government is fast losing support from the public over this whole crisis.

“We have to allow our so-called non-essential businesses – such as those selling clothes and shoes – to re-open now.

“It is critical that they begin trading again now – and not wait till the crackdown ends, apparently on December 2.

“They have all spent a lot of time, effort and money to make their premises Covid-secure – and they should be back up and running today.

“I am mightily concerned as this threat posed to our vital local economy, community and business people grows day by day.

“The Government has to iron out all the inconsistencies forcing some of our many first-class shops to close now – before it’s too late.”