A DIRECTORY has been set up to help people find out which local businesses they can still shop from during lockdown.

With non-essential shops and hospitality businesses closed until at least December, many businesses are offering click and collect services to customers in the Darlington area.

Darlington Borough Council's town centre team is working with businesses to ensure they understand the rules and to make sure any contact with customers is safe.

A webpage highlighting businesses which are offering delivery and/or click and collect as part of the ‘From your Darlington Town to you’ campaign – as well as a list of essential stores and services that will remain open – can be found at www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/deliveries

The town centre team are also working with those businesses who do not yet have an online presence to see if there is anything they can do to support them in getting online.

During the lockdown period the two hours free parking offer in all council car parks will continue to ensure people can access essential services.

The town’s Christmas decorations will also be installed as planned in November, including the Christmas tree, to make sure there is some festive spirit for visitors into December.

Councillor Alan Marshall, cabinet member for economy, said: “Our retailers depend on local people to shop with them if they are to survive – if we all turn to the internet for all of our Christmas shopping it will have a devastating impact on our high street, both for our independent and national retailers.

“The website is an excellent resource and I’d encourage people to take a look at the list of businesses – they may even discover a hidden gem they didn’t know about.”

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, cabinet member for health and housing, said: “The national lockdown has been called in an attempt to cut transmission rates of coronavirus in the community and we urge people to stay at home as much as possible for the next four weeks.

“However, there is a balance to be struck and it is important that we support our businesses who have already made it through so much this year. We will be working hard to ensure all businesses continue operate in a safe and responsible way."