People in Guildford today (November 2) were reacting to the government’s announcement over the weekend for another national lockdown.

Some expressed support for the government position but more were critical of the uncertainty over the extended restrictions which they thought had come in too late or were unnecessary.

Owner of The Gate Boutique in North Street, Liz Trendle said : “I just hope people will support the businesses. Shop local.”

Guildford resident Giles Nathan said: “The whole point [of the first lockdown] was to avoid further lockdowns. I feel angry especially as the infection rate in Surrey is so low. This is going to be different from the lockdown in March when we were all in it together. It is going to be more mentally challenging.”

A shopper told The Dragon: “I’m irritated. I’m torn between our region not needing to go into a severe lockdown and the fact that it could have been a two-week lockdown over the half-term.”

A young Guildford resident who didn’t want to be named, said: “It is a moral dilemma. I don’t want to be looking for loopholes but why should I put my life on hold when it isn’t affecting me. It’s frustrating.”

A busy Monday in the High Street. It will be deserted on Thursday at the start of lockdown.

Traders and shop staff said that they were not clear what was happening. Shops in White Lion Walk who believed they were classed as essential, said “they were in limbo” until the shopping precinct confirmed whether it would remain open after Thursday.

Operations manager for the White Lion Walk Sam Orledge said: “We are waiting for the landlords to give us confirmation of what they want us to do.”

Most cafes and food outlets spoken to were planning to continue with a take-away service. Owner of Fresco Delikafessen in Friary Street, Dimitrios Lazaridis, said: “We have a website and we are setting up with Deliveroo and Uber Eats.” But Bombay Buzz next door said “It’s amazingly tough for new starters but we have no choice, we have to pay the bills. It’s quite likely we will go under.”

Timpson manager Kevin Rossiter said: “I feel sorry for Guildford town and the families.”

Timpsons shop manager Kevin Rossiter said: “We might be considered essential because we cut keys but I’m personally not sure what’s going on. I’m going to turn up on Thursday and open the shop unless I’m told otherwise.”

Dimitrios Lazaridis of Fresco Delikafessen is setting up with Deliveroo and UberEats.

The owner of Sis & Bros cafe in White Lion Walk, Shahram Ekbatani, said: “I’m disappointed and angry. We are going to lose the golden period leading up to Christmas.

“The first lockdown didn’t work and they are likely to extend this one beyond December. We don’t need a national lockdown, we need to control critical spots like pubs and bars and people gathering.”

The owner of the new cafe and cocktail bar in Tunsgate, Tom Flanagan, said: “The guidelines are not clear, the furlough is not clear. It is frustrating. It’s going to be the science that gets us out of this.”

Local artist Robin Mullen, who has a new gallery in Market Street, said: “I can understand the necessity but it’s difficult. The government can’t win. Trade will come back as Guildford is resilient. It will be a telling time though when the business rates come back next April.”

Owner of Tattam’s in Tunsgate, Tom Flanagan, said: “It’s going to be the science that gets us out of this.”

The lead councillor for economy on Guildford Borough Council, John Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity), said: “Having another lockdown is of course of great concern but this one may well be more damaging than the last with less chance of reducing the spread of the virus.

“First, this is because there is a lot of confusion among residents and businesses as to exactly what the rules are for this partial lockdown and second, schools and colleges will remain open.

“Entertainment and retail will take the brunt again and there’s currently no mention of any bailout money for sectors like these. The borough council and our partners will, as before, continue to be on standby to help where we can.”

Busy in Friary Street on Monday, November 2 but takeaways only from November 5.

The CEO for Experience Guildford, Amanda Masters, said: “This is the worst possible time this could happen.

“Businesses must strengthen their online presence. This is not a time to back off from ‘the dreaded internet’. Experience Guildford are working with other partners including Guildford Borough Council to provide the support they need to do this.

“I implore Guildford shoppers to carry on supporting our town centre by ordering online with our businesses and leaving great reviews. It means so much right now.”

Dr Catherine Huckle, a teaching fellow at the University of Surrey’s school of psychology, who has written about the psychological implications of the latest lockdown, offered the following: “One of the most challenging elements is the continuing uncertainty and the lack of control we have over certain elements of our lives.

“Some of the things that protect our mental health are removed, such as meeting friends or taking part in sports. We need to meet the basics of mental health and be creative. These are sleep, exercise, social connections, eating well and balancing our time between activities that give a sense of achievement and activities that are purely for fun or relaxation.

“We don’t need 24-hour news updates, once a day (or even less) is enough and a constant flow of information can keep our threat system activated and increase our anxiety. Covid is an exercise in practising uncertainty – we don’t know what will happen, we can focus on one day at a time and “this too shall pass.”