The world turned upside down in Keswick and the North Lakes this week, with tourists told to stay away and local residents remaining indoors despite the warm spring sunshine as coronavirus took a tight grip on everyday life for the first time.
Streets were eerily deserted after all shops except those selling essentials like food and medicines shut following the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants along with schools last weekend, while major events not already cancelled, including Keswick Convention and the town’s beer and mountain festivals, were called off because of COVID-19.
The global pandemic has now claimed five lives in Cumbria, including two at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, and forced many local people including the more vulnerable over-70s into self-isolation to avoid passing on the highly contagious virus. Others are heeding government rules and maintaining two-metre social distancing.
At Keswick’s biggest store – Booths – new opening hours have been introduced featuring exclusive early morning and late evening slots for the elderly and vulnerable along with different times for NHS and emergency workers showing ID. Buying restrictions have also been introduced for items like milk, toilet roll and hand soap or sanitiser, while some shops which remain open are offering limited home delivery services.
Keswick was among the first towns in the UK where its local council had issued a public plea for tourists to keep away and for holiday and other non-essential businesses to close ahead of the Government’s major announcement on Monday evening which shut most of them. It followed the shock arrival of large numbers of holiday-makers and day-trippers over the weekend, notably in Borrowdale and Buttermere, despite escalating concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
Its statement prompted Allerdale Borough Council to cancel markets for two months following criticism after Keswick’s open-air gathering was held both Thursday and Saturday last week.
“We would particularly ask all holiday letting agencies to stop any further bookings and cancel all those existing ones. We need to work together for the benefit of Keswick and together we will get through this and welcome back our visitors with open arms,” said the town council statement. It added: “If you are a visitor and are reading this, please return home to help restore the balance of demand on our NHS and other services.”
Keswick’s mayor Cllr David Burn arrived back in the town last Saturday night after managing to secure a flight to Newcastle from Lanzarote where he had been in lockdown on holiday because of coronavirus. He said: “In this time of the COVID-19 national crisis, Keswick Town Council wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation for the work being done by all of our emergency services. Furthermore NHS staff and the police must be given our full support and cooperation.”
Tourism chiefs, mountain rescue teams and Cumbria Police echoed the unique call for tourists to stay away from the county. Up to 12,000 visitors had been due to arrive for the Keswick Convention in July but Keswick Ministries, which runs the annual international gathering, announced it had been called off.
Ministry director James Robson said: “Public health is the priority and so we will not be holding this year’s event. Given the circumstances we know there will be support for this decision, though understandably it is tinged with disappointment given the enjoyment and benefits the convention brings.” He added: “Our thoughts go out to all those affected in different ways during these unprecedented and challenging times.”
Keswick Mountain Festival, whose live music shows attract the town’s biggest crowds for a single event every year, has also been postponed for 12 months until May 2021. Paul McGreal, festival co-owner and director, said: “The situation with COVID-19 has moved at a dramatic pace and it is crystal clear that we can’t go ahead as planned in May. We have worked tirelessly to find a solution to host the festival later this year and are really disappointed that this won’t be possible.”
Keswick Beer Festival has also announced the cancellation of its two-day event at the beginning of June. A statement on its website said: “We must play our part to help protect guests, suppliers and volunteers.”
Ian Jones, director for Keswick Jazz and Blues Festival, said: “Regrettably, and with a heavy heart, I have to announce to all Keswick Jazzers that the 2020 Festival is now cancelled.” He said it had proved impossible to defer the festival to another date later in the year.
