LOCKDOWN hasn’t been easy on anyone but spare a thought for residents and business in Knighton – who have had to simultaneously deal with being both in and out of lockdown.

The Radnorshire town is in Wales but also straddles the English border. And while the majority of its 3,172 inhabitants are looking forward to emerging from a Welsh Government-mandated ‘firebreak’ lockdown that ends next Monday, four per cent of the population will head into a one-month lockdown today (Thursday, November 5), ordered by the UK Government.

A total of 140 residents (according to the latest census) and the town's railway station are located across the River Teme in Shropshire, while Knighton’s majority 96 per cent (or 3,007 people) reside in Wales.

All in all, it’s made a very confusing situation even more baffling. If there wasn’t already enough sympathy to be doled out to the picturesque market town’s bewildered residents, consider how unfortunate George and Dragon Inn landlord Frank Thompson has been – he only took charge of the Broad Street boozer in January.

“I took over on January 17, we were open for nine weeks then closed for the next 19. We opened up again and things were going fine and then some idiot decided to shut us down again,” said the 65-year-old, who runs the pub, 500 metres from the border, alongside his daughter, Dee.

They are looking forward to opening back up again next Monday, November 9, after a 17-day closure, but he admits they’re still in the dark.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced on Wednesday that groups of four people from different households will be allowed to meet indoors at pubs, cafes and restaurants from Monday.

Larger groups of people who live in the same house will be allowed to eat and drink out together.

The rule of four will also apply when meeting people from different households outdoors, away from your home, but meeting anyone from outside your household bubble in someone's garden is not allowed.

Two households are allowed to form a bubble – but groups of more than four people who are in the same bubble will not be allowed in pubs, cafes or restaurants.

Premises serving alcohol will have to cease at 10pm, as was the case prior to lockdown.

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Tanith Fox-James admits she's luckier than most

Frank added: “We’re looking forward to opening on Monday but anything could happen in the next few days. We’re hoping for the best.

“I would have to contemplate my future depending on how new restrictions will work now.”

Frank, originally from Gloucester, came to the area originally to work as a crane driver on the Elan Valley Aqueduct pipeline, but stayed when he learned the old George and Dragon landlord wanted to relinquish his hold on the pub.

“Pubs are the life and soul of a community, but you couldn’t give one away now,” Frank said.

“It’s been hard because, as we’re relatively new to the area, we’re trying to build a rapport with our customers. It’s ridiculous.”

Whereas countless businesses are buckling under lockdown pressures, the Knighton Flower Box appears to be blossoming – owner Tanith Fox-James has just opened a second store in nearby Kington. Although, with England now heading into lockdown, she admits it’s very worrying – especially as the flower industry enters its most crucial period.

“Two thirds of our income come from Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day so we’ve just got to keep our heads down and concentrate on doing what we can,” she said.

“Most people here are on the Wales side but it’s very confusing for customers. We’re missing out on the footfall of people popping in and interacting with customers but we offer delivery and a click and collect service so that’s been a lifeline and we’re just keeping sight of the fact we’ve been luckier than other businesses.”

Devon-born Tanith has lived in Powys for half her life and all over the county, before taking on the flower shop 18 months ago.

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The Flower Box at Kington opened on Monday and will be trialled for six months – but she admits the blues the coronavirus pandemic have generated also mean business is picking up.

“People think I’m crazy but it’s a good opportunity – at a time like this I think it’s always nice to receive and give some flowers, people need cheering up,” she added.

“It’s also safer all round as we’ve got two spaces now so I can spread my staff about which is easier for social distancing.”

Down at the Golden Lion, landlady Alison Proudman admits times are anything but golden.

“We're coming back out of this 'firebreak' with more restrictions for hospitality, it feels like we're constantly having to deal with new guidelines and each time they are revealed, they make trading even more difficult,” said Alison, a familiar, friendly face who has run the pub for the last 13 years.

“It would be more helpful if, when the Welsh Government announce their new restrictions, they actually issue the guidelines for businesses at the same time. It is now roughly 24 hours since they announced hospitality could re-open with groups of four maximum, and there must be a booking service, time restrictions and personal identification required, but no information regarding what it entails has been issued.

“As always, we will do our best to carry on but it does seem to be one step forward, two steps back.”