Business owners across the Folkestone district have expressed mixed reactions over the country entering a second lockdown, with some feeling disappointed and others optimistic.

The government says it is necessary to enter a four week national lockdown from today in order to save lives and protect the NHS following a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.

In the last seven days, 78 cases were reported in the Folkestone and Hythe district and 1,073 cases have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic.

And the decision to enter another lockdown means pubs and restaurants, non-essential shops and tourist sites will now be forced to close for the second time this year.

Among those affected is Jay Herridge, who was due to open a new escape room in Folkestone this month.

Leas Lift Lockout, in Sandgate Road, will feature two games and will be the second escape room in the town.

A second lockdown has left uncertainty over when it will now open.

Mr Herridge, 34, said: "It was all very exciting, and we'd set an opening date for November 21. But the news of a lockdown is very disappointing.

"It is part of life at the moment and there are probably a lot of people in a similar situation."

Before the escape rooms can open, the games need to be tested - something which was due to take place in the coming weeks.

Lockdown has also prevented this, meaning the rooms can't open straights away after the new restrictions are lifted.

Mr Herridge said: "We'll have to open a few weeks after lockdown ends anyway, so we can test out the equipment and puzzles.

"We'll hopefully be able to open before Christmas, but I can't put a date on it.

"One of the escape rooms was going to be Christmas themed, but that might have to be shelved now until next year now."

Once open, all profits from Leas Lift Lockout will go towards the historic Leas Lift , which has been closed since 2017 and needs urgent repairs.

Charlotte Khan, who runs independent children's shop, Moo Like a Monkey in Folkestone's Old High Street, said she feels less 'panicked and overwhelmed' than she did in March.

She said: "This lockdown feels very different; we have a reference, we know what worked and what didn't work last time.

"We know that it's possible to come out of the other end of it.

"All the focus for us is on logistics and cashflow. The kids will be at school this time so our productivity will be much higher.

"This is of course is our peak season, so we are gutted it's happened, but we know if we ramp up our website advertising and social media activity, continue to offer free local delivery and be as active and positive as possible on our social media channels, we will get through this and come out the other side."

Mrs Khan, a mum of two, added: "It's our peak season for a reason; because people need to do their Christmas shopping - this hasn't changed.

"People are more aware than ever of how important it to support shops like us of they want their high street to survive this. We are feeling a really strong sense of support from our customers and the local community.

"If going into lockdown is the quickest way to reduce the spread of Covid then I am glad we are in lockdown."

Debbie Convery opened pet boutique Not For Humans in Old High Street, Folkestone, in September . As a pet supplies shop, she will remain open during the lockdown.

She is happy about the new restrictions: "The new rules are set in place to protect every one, so I’m happy with them.

"Another lockdown seems like the right decision, despite the time of year. Maybe it should have been done sooner?"

Ben Cuthbert, who runs a chain of restaurants in Folkestone with wife Lucy, including Market Square, Luben's Pizza and Tin and Tap, says they will continue to run take-away service while the restaurants close.

He said: "I think it is different this time because for us as a group during the first lockdown we didn't know what was going to happen, how long it was going to be for, what support was out there. If they stick to the time frame, then this time we know where we are going to be in four weeks."

Mr Cuthbert is hoping to open a new artisan food and drink market under Market Square as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Alison Chapman, owner of jewellery store, Owlets in Hythe , said she thinks it will be 'very hard' for people and business to face lockdown again.

She added: "My business has over 2,000 items on the internet and so with my internet sales and the government grants I have managed to hold my own, which I am so grateful for.

"However, we in Hythe have some wonderful customers who are very loyal and during the first lockdown I had local customers emailing me wanting to buy items to support my business during the lockdown period, how kind is that?

"I am, by nature an optimist and I think we all need to have something to look forward so I have cheered myself up by putting Christmas lights up in the main shop window.

"It looks jolly, and we all need to feel a little jollier at the moment don’t we?"

Crispin Davies, chairman of the Hythe Civic Society, said he has been 'extremely concerned' over the future of Hythe High Street since March, when the first lockdown commenced.

He said: "Our concern is now magnified with the second lockdown about to start this week.

"Despite the innovative ways in which Hythe traders and businesses reacted to the first lockdown in order to keep their High Street businesses alive the Civic Society is concerned that too many Hythe shoppers have switched allegiance to shopping via the web rather than patronising the High Street.

"This second lockdown is likely to exacerbate that trend. It has been noticeable that now there are more vacant shops in the High Street compared to a year ago.

"The message from the Civic Society to Hythe residents is 'use it or lose it'."

Tourist hotspot Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, near Hythe, will close its doors for the duration of the nationwide lockdown. This includes to day visitors and people staying overnight in its various accommodation.

A spokesman for the animal park said the news was 'disappointing' and added: "Thank you for your support and understanding in these challenging times.

"We look forward to welcoming you to Port Lympne later in the year."

The Hythe Imperial Hotel has also confirmed it will close until December, but the Grand Burstin in Folkestone will remain open to key workers.

Under the new rules, some shops, including supermarkets, and some businesses can continue to operate, including the construction industry.

This means works will continue at the new skate park, F51, in Tontine Street , and on the seafront housing development, both being lead by Folkestone firm Jenner .

A spokesman said: "It is our intention to continue to carry out our work, under continued heightened hygiene and safety measures, just as we were. This is in accordance with government guidance that states construction and manufacturing is to continue during lockdown."

Damian Collins, MP for the district, said a lockdown is 'necessary': "This is not a situation anyone of us would like to have seen, but it has become necessary because of the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases, hospitalisations and deaths."

Reacting to the announcement of a national lockdown, Folkestone and Hythe District Council leader Cllr David Monk said: "Like many other people I am very disappointed that the lockdown is happening.

"We have one of the lowest rates of infection in the country and that is because the majority of us behave responsibly and adhere to the rules.

"This council will be working with our local community to look after our residents, particularly the vulnerable, and ensure our businesses are supported and helped to get through the next four weeks."

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