Residents in Arnold town centre have voiced their concerns amid a surge in new coronavirus cases over the past week.
While infection rates have been increasing in a number of areas since the easing of the second national lockdown, Arnold town centre recorded a 25% rise in cases in the most recent seven days to December 8.
A total of 25 new cases were recorded in this period, meaning the area now has an infection rate of 410.6 cases per 100,000 people.
Comparatively, England as a whole currently has an infection rate of 166.3 cases per 100,000 people.
Sharon Fletcher, who has worked at Cafe Amelia in Front Street for the past eight years, said businesses in the town had been hit hard by the virus and resulting lockdowns.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, she said: "I would not go into the city centre. I think this is from all those people in the city last week.
"I did not think it had been that bad here, people are sticking to the rules, unless there has been more testing around here.
"It is scaring people to death. Business is very, very slow and it is damaging a lot of businesses. We're not even at a fifth of what is was.
"I feel sorry for all those new pubs that have opened."
Concerns had been raised by bosses in the NHS that a five-day period of allowing households to mix over Christmas would cause a further spike in infections.
The scientific advisory group (SAGE) has also called on the Government to instead replace it with a midsummer break.
It says the country's coronavirus infections rates will rise in January unless the festive period is scrapped.
David and Shirley Jones, who were out shopping in Front Street, said: "We do not know anyone who has been taken bad by it, most people we speak to are older people who are isolating until they feel safe.
"Everyone wants Christmas. We are being careful. We do shop when we have the need to. It is a funny time of year for us all."
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "You have got to come out to shop and all you can do is take precautions as best you can.
"I hope people get to meet for Christmas. I think Christmas is a special time. All you can do is hope for the best.
"I'm in my 70s. Large supermarkets like Asda are quite frightening for me, because everyone is rushing around. I feel safer in Sainsbury's.
And Sheila Cope, 68, said: "I try not to let it worry me, otherwise you would go up the wall.
"I take the precautions. It's just about if others are sensible or not."
