A seaside gift shop has been criticised for continuing to sell gifts and trinkets despite orders for non-essential businesses to close.
Leaf, Bark and Berries in Seaham is a cafe/gift shop, which has stayed open to provide takeaway meals following the government's order for sit-down eateries to close to customers.
This move is allowed under the new rules. However, locals have criticised the business for continuing to sell and advertise gifts and other non-essential items up for sale in the store.
Stock is still arranged outside the store and it's understood that people can come in to browse, as well as to collect their takeaway food.
In a local Facebook group, one woman accused the store of "flouting the rules - encouraging people to stop and congregate outside, exactly the reason they were told to shut".
She said: "Surely if all the other [shops] are closed so should he."
However, many other locals defended the shop owner, pointing out that like all other cafes Leaf, Bark and Berries are permitted to offer delivery and takeout food.
While non-essential shops have been told to close, the government has not issued specific rules for shops which contain a takeout food service alongside non-essential retail.
But Public Health England does "strongly encourage" business owners to avoid allowing customers to wait inside their shops - which they might do while browsing items for sale like garden ornaments.
Members of the public are currently being told not to leave their homes except for essential shopping, work which can't be done outside of the home, and for exercise.
One man, commenting on Facebook, expressed concerns that people could be encouraged to visit the store to browse or buy non-essential gifts, when other such stores were closed.
When Chronicle Live contacted Leaf, Bark and Berries, the proprietor declined to comment, however it was confirmed that the gift shop part of the business remains open, not just the takeaway food outlet.
