Coronavirus - Impact on Enfield
Written on 24th March 2020
On the 23rd March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that people would only be allowed to leave their homes when they’re “shopping for essentials”, medical reasons and if their work is “absolutely necessary” such as working for NHS, due to the coronavirus pandemic. He also stated that people are only allowed to leave their house for exercise once a day.
This announcement is going to affect every part of life in the UK. On a local level, in the North London Borough of Enfield, a range of day to day activities can now no longer go ahead.
At the moment there has been 76 confirmed cases in Enfield, out of a local population of 333,869.
Enfield Town Centre
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The Enfield Town High Street is considerably less busy with the majority of shops closed. Only the supermarkets, pharmacies, banks (for reduced hours) and independent corner shops were open on Tuesday. All restaurants, clothing, fashion, hairdressing shops were closed. The normally busy Palace Exchange Shopping area was particularly deserted.
The Perfume Shop, one of many regular high street stores to ask staff to close for the foreseeable future.
This area where many major high street retailers are located such as, JD Sports, Next, River Island and Topshop are located was empty as nearly all stores are shut.
With the measures currently put in place that are to last for at least 3 weeks, a difficult time may be ahead for small businesses in the area that have to close and get no customers.
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For example, especially independant restaurants and barbers/salons that rely on local people coming in as there only source of revenue.
One of the normally busiest areas in the town centre empty.
Notice on the window of popular, The Beautiful South restaurant.
A row of salons and takeaways all forced to close due to Covid-19.
Sport in Enfield
In the Borough, a charity football event was due to take place. The event’s aim was to raise money for Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund. This has now been cancelled and the small local charity is now suffering as a result of Covid-19. On the charity’s website they say the virus outbreak “has already had a severe detrimental impact on our income from fundraising and donations. If this continues for a further six months, our charity would be in a very vulnerable position, possibly even facing closure.”
Elsewhere in Enfield, all gyms have had to close. Most gyms are offering to freeze memberships at no costs for customers until these premises get permission from the government to re-open. For example, at David Lloyd Enfield they are working on providing online classes to keep members fit and healthy. Leigh Allaker, Club Manager, said “the content will be accessible through emails and the app” and will “include on demand virtual classes and some live classes taught by our own brilliant staff”.
Another important part of the local community is the town’s football club, Enfield Town FC. The club have had all matches called off until at least the 3rd April by the FA. Due to this, the club will no longer generate any match day revenue. Enfield Town FC have struggled financially in the past but now could face issues in the coming months as income will be lower than expected. A statement from the chairman has highlighted that the club often find it hard to keep hold of their best players, “the tight budget means we can’t match some of the offers being made to players.” An uncertain time lies ahead for the semi-professional 7th tier team.
Lots of residents living in Enfield have been helping the elderly and vulnerable during this time as they have been encouraged not to leave by Boris Johnson. Yesterday, Tottenham Manager, Jose Mourinho assisted charity Age UK in the Enfield area in delivering essential goods to those struggling due to the Covid-19 outbreak.