Businesses in Nottinghamshire towns which could avoid Tier 3 restrictions have spoken of the "lifeline" they have been given to miss out on the stricter measures.

Some of those who work in Newark, Retford and Worksop have said the Tier 3 measures - which are expected to come into force in parts of the county next week - will impact footfall and local trade and are therefore glad to avoid the current strictest measures to tackle Covid-19.

One business in Worksop has said being under Tier 2 restrictions still concerns her she thinks businesses would be able to claim for more financial help in a Tier 3 lockdown.

At this stage, reports suggests Tier 3 restrictions are expected in the city of Nottingham, Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe but Ashfield, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and Bassetlaw could remain under Tier 2.

Wendy Baird who owns Carriages Cafe next to Newark Castle station said: "It's a lifeline for businesses to not be in Tier 3 I think. For our industry it perhaps doesn't change much but more people will be around the town hopefully.

"If we were in Tier 3 I'd worry more about the amount of people likely to come into Newark. People are still terrified to come out at the the moment to places like cafes so it has been tough.

"I do hope we still get some help though because businesses are finding things hard in Tier 2 or Tier 3."

Wendy Baird is the new owner
Wendy Baird is the new owner

In the seven days to October 18, the number of new cases in Bassetlaw per 100,000 people was 208.6, a rise from 101.3 the previous week.

In Newark and Sherwood, the figure fell to 170.7, compared to 232.8 the previous week.

In comparison, the latest figure in Nottingham stands at 610.1 in the week up to October 18, a sharp fall from 926.7.

Jayne Otter, owner of women's occasional wear shop House of Elegance on Bridge Street in Worksop, said: "To be honest my business is not in the greatest of places right now because we sell clothing for occasions like proms and weddings and there's just not a lot of that happening right now.

"It's made my business crash because of how exceptionally hard it's been. It's kept me awake at night some days wondering whether to put a closing down sign in the window.

"I think there may be an advantage of going into Tier 3 because it perhaps entitles more businesses to get help right now."

Tier 3 restrictions would mean pubs and bars not serving meals being closed, advice against travelling, and no mixing between different households indoors or outdoors.

Tracey Greensmith, manager at Boyes department store in Newark, said: "I think this has got to be a warning to people that we are not out of the woods and that we need to be careful we are not o the route to Tier 3.

"Numbers have been falling here which is good to see and the town centre has been quite busy too.

Tracey Greensmith, manager at Boyes on Carter Gate is 37 and lives in Newark

"With Tier 3 I think less people would want to come out to a cafe or something which would have a knock on impact for us."

Julie Dawson, owner of The Flower Boutique in Retford, added: "It's good because we obviously don't want to be going into Tier 3 and it is something that I have been worried about.

"But I got through the first lockdown by running my businesses from home so it's good to know I could do that again if I have to.

"The town has been much quieter the last few weeks so hopefully not being in Tier 3 can bring some people back out. Whatever tier we are in, we just have to do the best we can."

Talks are ongoing regarding how exactly a lockdown would affect Nottinghamshire.

However, following meetings between officials on Thursday and Friday, it is also understood the Government believes an agreement to move part of Nottinghamshire can be reached today (Friday, October 23).

This would then be tabled in Parliament on Monday, but health ministers cannot be grilled on the subject in the House of Commons because Parliament is not sitting due to the half term recess.

If this timetable is achieved, the changes would come into effect on Wednesday, October 28.