Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Ian Johnson

Coronavirus blamed again as yet another Newcastle firm quits the city centre

Another business has quit Newcastle City Centre in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Brownie Bar's Eldon Garden shop will close on September 16.

On Facebook, the firm said the decision has been made with a "heavy heart".

"We feel given the current pandemic and our lease coming up for renewal we think it’s time to bow out of the city centre and concentrate on the other dimensions of our business," announced founders Sarah and Rachael Cawkwell, while confirming the Chillingham Road store will remain open,.

They added that online orders had "grown massively during this current time and made us realise the best direction for our business".

It comes just weeks after the award-winning sandwich shop Kracklin announced it was leaving the centre of Newcastle.

Bosses at the Market Street shop also announced it was not renewing the lease, claiming there was "so much uncertainty within the city centre" due to the pandemic.

Newcastle sandwich shop Kracklin has been put on the market (Christie & Co)

The Government is planning a media blitz to try and woo workers back into the office, amid fears home working is killing off city centres.

Boris Johnson is worried food and drink firms, which rely on passing trade, are struggling. Pret a Manger's already announced 3,000 job cuts.

The Prime Minister wants civil servants to return first and 'set an example'. Unions however have refused to rule out strike action amid concerns that returning to the office still isn't safe, is a needless risk - and could drive up the infection rate.

Public and Commercial Services general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “If the Government or any employer starts forcing people back to work and we believe that it is not safe to do so, we will firstly consider our legal options, secondly give individual legal advice, and thirdly consider whether a collective response is required."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.