By Isabelle Truscott and Mike Thomson
Michelle Donaghy, owner of Tile Style, photographed in the summer. Photo: Helen Barrington MANY Borders businesses will be forced to close for three weeks from Boxing Day, when most of Scotland enters severe lockdown again. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Saturday (December 19) that every part of the country – except the islands – will go into Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s coronavirus restrictions. Michelle Donaghy, who runs Tile Style in Galashiels, told the
Border Telegraph: “I am still in shock – I think everyone is probably in shock.” The Borders, currently in Level 1, will enter Level 4 at 12.01am on Boxing Day amid indications that a new strain of the virus is spreading quickly in parts of the UK.
In response to Mrs Hamilton’s criticism, Mr Wheelhouse, a South of Scotland list member, told the
Border Telegraph: “I fully support the work of the inquiry and its convener. “However, as a Scottish minister [for energy, connectivity and the islands], I am bound to adhere to the Ministerial Code, which includes strict limits on publication of legal advice to ministers. “This is a similar position that Tory UK ministers would have to take in a similar scenario, and Ms Hamilton knows this.” In the votes on November 4 and 25, the SNP was the only party which did not support the release of legal advice.
Border Telegraph that he was “peeved” by the decision. And this week, he said: “I still feel it was unjust to close us for all those weeks. “But we’re going to make the most of the positive situation we find ourselves in now.” Over the weekend (December 12 and 13), Mr Paterson was “consistently busy”. “We had to turn some of our locals away,” he said. “This is why we’re considering a booking system for the next few weeks. “We want to give those that support the pub throughout the year a chance to come in.” Mr Paterson also owns the Auld Mill Inn in Galashiels and the Dryburgh Arms in Newtown St Boswells – both of which he hopes will reopen next week.
The thieves struck on December 3, after the businesses had locked up for the day at 4.30pm. The first sign of something odd was when Oakwood Tree Care boss Bill Hogarth received a phone call at 7pm from a concerned dog-walker who said Mr Hogarth’s premises were unlocked.
Nathan Mill and fellow businessman Bill Hogarth, who have both been targeted by thieves. Photo: Helen Barrington “I knew right away from the gates being wide open that I had been robbed,” Mr Hogarth, 56, said. “I’m flipping gutted. In the 20 years I’ve been in this yard I’ve never had any trouble.”