The Mayor of Mansfield AndyAbrahams has called on people in the Mansfield district to support their local retailers as the town enters coronavirus Tier 3.

Her has also thanked residents for helping to bring down the district’s Covid-19 rate from nearly 400 cases per 100,000 population at the end of the first week of November to fewer than 200 as of 30 November.

“As we leave national lockdown and enter Tier 3 restrictions, this is very promising and shows what can be achieved if we all play our part. Thank you to everyone for continuing to follow the Government’s guidance for the benefit of our wider community,” he said.

“We hope people will make the most of what they can do safely under the new Tier 3 restrictions, and get out and support our local shops and services. Shopping is one of the best ways we can help our local economy, local jobs, and our community. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a quality retail offering, but we each need to get out and use it. Shopping in good time for Christmas beats the last-minute rush and makes it a safer experience for us all.”

There is half-price parking in all the council’s car parks until 31 December.

From Wednesday 2 December, non-essential retailers reopen on Mansfield Market, in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre and in the town centres. Four Seasons will be open seven days a week with late-night shopping until 8pm on Thursdays. Shops, including Primark and JD Sports, will be open 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday until 23 December in the town.

The council has employed Covid-19 marshals through the Government’s Surge Fund, to support and assist the public and businesses in complying with national and local guidelines and laws. They will visit virus hotspots and help to identify and investigate businesses and premises not following coronavirus rules across the district.

For information go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus www.nhs.uk/coronvirus and www.gov.uk/coronavirus.