TIM GILL, Mayor of Ludlow, is worried about the impact of isolation on the mental health of people in and around the town.

But he also thinks that younger people and families will be suffering because the support network that they are used to has disappeared.

Mr Gill says that in the early stages of the virus lockdown more people seem to be using local small shops but is unsure if this will continue when Tesco has sorted out initial problems with shortages due to panic buying of essentials that were quickly snapped up.

“I think a concern must be the number of older people who have to remain in doors and are now cut off from the numerous activities you could enjoy in Ludlow as a retired person,” said Mr Gill.

“You could do something every day of the week but all those are now closed down and with it the companionship they brought.

“Though equally I think the wellbeing of a number of younger people, and young families, are equally being impacted upon by restrictions with no support out there for them at the present.”

The Mayor went on to say that some of Ludlow’s smaller shops are open for business.

“With regard to local shops our bakers are now closed,” he said.

“But the three butchers remain open for business as does the green grocers Farmers. They are doing good business.

“The Mousetrap, cheese shop is currently open, The Fruit Basket is closed but you can order fruit and veg and they will deliver.

“Ludlow Brewery is doing deliveries as is Bentley’s the wine merchant. The delicatessen Broad Bean is closed but also doing deliveries. Myriad Orgainics in Corve Street, is still open but on reduced hours.”

“Certainly when there was little meat in Tesco the local butchers had plenty and were getting more custom.

“But the extent to which local are being used more to supplement supermarket shopping is difficult to judge. I suspect that customers who used the local shops and the supermarkets are concentrating on the local shops more as they feel safer in them.

“I have received an increasing number of emails asking for the market to be re-opened as it is seen as a safer alternative, in the open air, to the enclosed environment of larger stores. Ludlow Town Council has no plans to do so at the present time having taken advice from the police that resulted in its closure in the first place.”