More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
It's a tale of two tiers for neighbours in one street straddling the Kent border as which coronavirus restrictions apply corresponds to the colour of their bins.
The national lockdown will end on Wednesday as England returns to a three-tiered approach to Covid-19.
And while a return to some of the freedoms enjoyed before the month-long measure will be welcomed by many, for others the shift will usher in a new state of confusion.
None more so than in Maiden Lane in Dartford, now in Tier 3 'Very High' with the rest of Kent – but which also straddles the border with Bexley, a London borough in Tier 2.
Neighbours on one side of the street with black Dartford bins must adhere to one set of rules, while those with green Bexley bins abide by another.
It means from Wednesday residents in Tier 2 can go out to enjoy a meal or go to the cinema but across the street it will be strictly takeway and Netflix only.
The changes will also have an knock-on effect for those businesses whose customer base regularly travels to both.
In Tier 3, Dartford pubs, restaurants and cafes must remain closed – unless they are selling takeaway food and drink.
But across the border in Bexley customers may drink or dine in provided it is with a member of their household or their "support bubble".
However, if alcohol is served in any of the above-mentioned venues it must be accompanied by a "substantial meal".
Gurjit Randhawa, who runs Esquires Coffee in Dartford High Street opened another premises just two miles away beyond the border in Crayford after the first lockdown.
"I have been dealt a funny hand this time around," says the barista boss, who temporarily shut the Bexley branch during the latest restriction.
"Crayford closed down for 4 weeks and Dartford remained open. It is a funny situation because prior to the lockdown it was the other way around."
"There was a flip because Dartford was in a lower tier and Crayford was in a higher tier."
He added: "It is so frustrating because I was really optimistic. I thought it would be great to get both stores open to try to get 3 and a half weeks trading in."
It will also likely create confusion among his burgeoning client base he feels.
Gurjit said: "I know lots of people through the business, customers that live more or less smack bang in the middle of both.
"There are a few that can walk either way. If they come out they turn right straight into Dartford or they come out left straight into Crayford High Street."
"We would hope that people follow the rules and stay within their areas," adds Gurjit who says the constant chopping and changing of the rules has been hard to keep apace with.
On the latest set of restrictions he said: "I absolutely get lost with it. Every single time there is a different rule or legislation."
The Dartford Crossing, considered by many to be the "Gateway to Kent", will also bridge two different worlds come Wednesday with Essex in Tier 2.
It means restaurants at Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock will be able to serve dine-in shoppers while those venturing to Bluewater in Greenhithe will have to settle for delivery and takeaways to go only.
Among those to adapt to the changes is American burger joint Five Guys who recently launched a "kerbside pick-up point" for hungry shoppers at the retail complex.
In nearby Crayford, Esquires Coffee boss Gurjit, is looking to capitalise on increased footfall to Tower Retail Park in the run up to Christmas.
Gurjit says while online shopping has changed the trade somewhat there is still a large amount of people who see the festive period as an "experience".
"Christmas shopping is an experience it is not just you go out and get your necessities and you are gone," he said.
"I know it had been a miserable year but I still want to make it feel special for those deciding to come out."
"It is quite easy to just write this year off," he added. "But I think it is important to still create that little bit of fun for the next few weeks."
Last week Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite reacted to news of Dartford being placed in Tier 3 with disappointment but said it reflected the "stark reality" of the rates across the county.
He said: "Here in Dartford, we saw a significant rise in recent weeks and although some measures are now heading in a better direction we cannot be complacent.
"Without a change in the direction of the transmission rate, more cases will spread and local NHS hospitals will come under extreme pressure to deliver not just Covid treatment, but the care that is crucial for all conditions and all patients.
"Our local hospital, Darent Valley, is not yet amongst those in Kent facing the greatest pressure and we must keep it that way."
The Tory leader added: "The people of Dartford have a huge part to play in the lead up to Christmas."
"The people of Dartford have a huge part to play in the lead up to Christmas."
Meanwhile across the border in Bexley its local authority has warned residents against travelling to Dartford.
Many residents travel between the two for work and the dense population of grammar schools in both also regularly sees students travel cross-border into areas such as Wilmington.
Leader of the London council, Cllr Teresa O'Neill said: "We should all avoid travelling to, or staying overnight, in tier 3 areas unless it is really necessary.
"We think that the different tiers applying in Bexley and Dartford back in November caused an increase in cases in both our areas when people travelled between them to socialise.
"With Kent moving to tier 3, we need to do everything we can to stop this happening again."
