How are Bath's ice cream sellers, cafes and takeaways coping with lockdown?

Bath is a World Heritage City and would normally be welcoming thousands of visitors now - so how are key tourist businesses coping during Covid-19?

People flock to the city all year round to take in its Roman and Georgian history and unique shopping experience. Of course there are no international visitors and no events at the moment because of the pandemic.

We asked some traders how they are operating within the current restrictions and what they are doing to keep customers safe.

This ice cream shop is serving customers at the door - and won't sell cones - because of the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: ITV West Country

The Real Italian Pizza Company has been operating as a takeaway since the lockdown began, but its sister firm - which sells ice cream - has only been open a few weeks when the owners were able to introduce queuing and other safety measures.

No-one is allowed in the shop and they don't sell cones as they don't want to handle them and risk the spread of the virus.

Joint owner of the business, Francesca Addabbo says it is difficult to work during the lockdown: "It is quite bad. We are happy when we take in one week what we used to take in one day, so it's a big difference.

"It's not something that we could sustain for a long time. If it went on for longer we would be in serious trouble."

Mrs Potts Chocolate House has adapted to working during Covid-19 with social distancing and delivery slots. Credit: ITV West Country

Mrs Potts Chocolate House only opened in Bath in February but quickly became a favourite with chocolate lovers. It was just about to launch its first chocolate workshop when the Covid-19 restrictions came into force.

The staff had to be furloughed but when lockdown was eased, the manager was delighted to be able to reopen the cafe - if only for takeaway and 'click and collect'. It is also now offering a popular delivery service.

Mrs Potts has introduced a range of measures to keep staff and customers safe during the pandemic.

The pavement is marked out for social distancing, only one person is allowed in the shop and hand sanitiser is freely available.

Manhattan's customers can only come into the takeaway one at a time to keep everyone safe. Credit: ITV West Country

One takeaway in Widcombe, a short distance from the city centre, heavily relies on business from hotels and B&Bs in the area - which are empty.

Manhattan re-opened with restricted hours - and social distancing measures - when the lockdown was first eased.

It would usually expect a lot of trade from local pubs - but of course they also can't open. The family-run firm has been in business for more than 30 years and hopes to survive this crisis.

Coffee shop manager Anna Judson is in charge of two cafes in Bath - one by the busy bus station and another in a more historic setting next to the Roman Baths. We watched as she set up Mokoko in Dorchester Street - with all the protection needed to operate safely during Covid-19.

Anna says that while there is less trade, and visitors are staying away, she is getting to know her customers better.

Social distancing by Bath's Pulteney Weir in May 2020. Credit: ITV West Country

Visit Bath is urging all visitors to the city to be mindful of the current situation. It says "This includes being responsible in social distancing to allow adequate space on pavements and pathways, and while using those parks, gardens and grounds where open.

"If you visit, please plan ahead so that you know what is open and what you can expect. As the situation changes over the coming weeks, with the opening of retail and as other businesses adapt to takeaway services, it is even more important to plan."

This was Bath at the start of the lockdown - beautiful but eerie with car parks deserted and hardly a person in sight. It is far busier now - but nowhere near the numbers one would normally expect as summer approaches.

  • Watch 'Bath From The Air' filmed on 25 March 2020

The lockdown will ease further on Monday 15 June, with more shops allowed to open, but the measures these traders have had to introduce will stay.

There is now the question of how long they can continue to operate as the coronavirus crisis and its restrictions continue.