For the second time this year businesses across Croydon will close their doors as England enters a second lockdown.

It means that all non-essential businesses including restaurants and bars will be closed from Thursday until at least December 2.

Duncan Barnes who runs 101 Records in North End, thinks that the second lockdown is a bad idea and he is facing the possibility of closing the shop for good.

He said: “[The lockdown] is totally unnecessary, we know more about this thing now, we know how to take care of ourselves and other people.

“But we’ve got to do it so I am going to carry on doing my business online.

“November has always been busy online before Christmas but the shop starts to pick up in November too, like everybody else the lockdown will have a bad impact.”

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Matthews Yard opened in West Croydon at the end of August. Credit: Saif Bonar

Duncan said that he will soon be making a decision on whether to continue running the physical shop or just focus on the online business.

He added:”I think everybody in the town centre is in the same boat but not everybody can do their business online.

“Croydon was on its knees before all this, I think the ramifications will be clearer early next year.”

For community venue Matthews Yard 2020 was set to be a big year.

The business finally moved into a new home near West Croydon Station opening at the end of August, after years of uncertainty in a building that was due to be demolished.

Founder of the not-for-profit venue, Saif Bonar, said: “We had just finished the building work and were just about to open the bar [when the second lockdown was announced].

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Credit: Saif Bonar

“In a way it is good because going into Tier 2 hit us quite hard, we lost about 40 per cent of our income overnight.”

Under the new lockdown staff at Matthews Yard will be furloughed and a £3,000 grant will cover most of the rent.

Saif hopes they can offer takeaways through Uber Eats soon but until they are accepted on the platform will be focussing on coffee and cake takeaways through a hatch.

Chief executive of the Croydon BID (business improvement district), Matthew Sims, said the organisation will be pressing the Government for more support for businesses.

He said: “There is no hiding the worry, strain and anxiety facing businesses as the Prime Minister announced a second lockdown for England.

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CEO of Croydon BID Matthew Sims

“These are very dark times indeed but our community has shown its strength of character and resilience to come through the other side before and I am sure we can do that together again.

@The determination of businesses in Croydon town centre across the summer months leading into the autumn, to rebuild, to refocus and adapt to a changing landscape across our high streets is a shining example of what can be done together, in partnership.”