Ledbury businesses have spoken of the difficulties they are already facing, as the country appears to be on its way to a lock-down, because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Malthouse Cafe in Ledbury has faced a run of cancellations, including for Mothering Sunday, and now owner Jim Lipton is wondering if he might have to close.

He said: "We may have to decide whether to close or not. We have very few customers. People are staying away, but we do have an outside area, so a few people are still coming in."

Insurance is another worry, because as with most UK businesses, the Malthouse is not covered for pandemics.

Mr Lipton said the one year suspension of business rates announced by the Government should help, as should the grant scheme, also announced this week.

But Mr Lipton, who employs around 15 people, is awaiting further details about this scheme.

He said: "How do we get the grants? In any case, a percentage needs to go towards paying staff."

His fear is that some businesses might take the grants and not use some of it for wage bills, which be believes would be unacceptable.

Mr Lipton does not blame the Government for the crisis, because of the "unprecedented" scale and nature of the situation.

He said: "This is like the Blitz, or what happened in New York, but on a global scale."

Lynn Aust, manager of The Full Pitcher pub in Ledbury said the impact of Government advice had been "huge", with a big drop in the number of customers.

She said the Government advice for people to avoid pubs, restaurants and theatres had not come as a surprise, but she questioned "the way it was done", and she added: "It has hit everyone in hospitality".

She added: "However, we are still serving food, with limited hours."

Staff have had their hours cut at The Pitcher, which is a well-known food pub off the Ledbury bypass.

Homend trader, Annette Crowe said the town was "like a ghost town" on Wednesday this week, when she spoke to the Reporter, following a busy trading weekend.

She said: "We need people to use the shops, otherwise the shops won't be there when the panic is over."

But Mrs Crowe, a former town mayor and chairman of the town's traders' association, said Ledbury was fortunate in having independent food shops with good chains of supply.

She said: "I think the supply line will hold up, if people are sensible; everyone will get what they need and the supplies will keep coming."

Mrs Crowe, who runs a jewellery business with her husband, welcomed the support for small businesses which was announced by the Government.

She acknowledged everyone had a different view on how the Government was handling the crisis, but she said: "I do think the Government is trying to keep the country running, and I support what they are doing.

"At least we are getting daily updates."

Mrs Crowe had nothing but praise for workers in local supermarkets and chemists, who were working extra hours during the crisis.

But there have been reports on social media of some staff being given a hard time.

Stacey Lewry, Store Manager at Boots on the High Street, posted a message "to everyone" on the Facebook site, Voice of Ledbury, asking for more understanding.

She said: "We understand that Covid 19 is on everyone’s mind at the moment and it is important to us to keep you all safe and well but I would ask that you remain respectful to my colleagues who are working tirelessly to try and serve you quickly whilst trying to maintain stock on our shelves which is proving difficult as of late. "We have had a number of incidents resulting in my colleagues left upset due to customers being rude and aggressive regarding lack of availability of items in our store which is out of their control."

Boots has put in place green lines on the shop floor by both tills and the pharmacy, for customers to remain behind until they are invited forward. This is to maintain a safe distance between staff and the public.

Some Ledbury residents, also on the Voice of Ledbury, have expressed concerns about apparent panic buying in the supermarkets.

Posting on the Facebook site, Stein Cochrane said: "Just back from Aldi in Ledbury; absolutely disgusting is an understatement!

"Barely any fresh meats. Luckily I got something I can put something together - but the sheer greed with no consideration for others, especially for the elderly and vulnerable - those responsible should be ashamed of themselves."