A SENEDD hopeful has said small retailers have been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the First Minister’s latest lockdown announcement.

Ceredigion Liberal Democrats have called on the First Minister to reconsider a decision that forces non-essential retailers to stay closed until 12 April, while supermarkets can start selling non-essential items from Monday.

Cadan ap Tomos, who is the Liberal Democrat candidate for election in May’s Senedd election, said: “By doubling back on his own earlier rationale, Mark Drakeford has thrown small shop owners under a bus.

“Anyone forced to keep their shop closed and watch as the big supermarkets get a head-start will rightly be angry. With our high streets already suffering due to this pandemic, the last thing we need is for our small local shops to be disadvantaged even more.

“The First Minister needs to urgently rethink this decision. Despite the extra financial support on offer, I fear some shops might not make it to 12 April.”

The sentiment was echoed by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair: “Despite the improving picture in Wales, today’s announcement will be a confusing and disappointing one for many within the Welsh business community

“At the last review, the First Minister strongly suggested that non-essential retail and close-contact services would reopen during this next period. Now, the picture seems much more complex and to many, will appear an ‘about turn’ on the messaging of recent weeks.

“Many businesses will have been closed for four months by the time that non-essential retail will be able to fully open on 12th April, and the consequences may well be severe.

"SMEs have faced some of the worst economic consequences of the pandemic, have been forced to make the toughest decisions about the future of their businesses, and deserve to be properly brought into the conversation by Welsh Government.

“FSB has repeatedly asked that Welsh Government explain their position to smaller businesses and the rationale on continued closures and restriction.

"The owners and staff of SMEs deserve to fully understand why they are being asked to remain closed for even longer, when much has been made of Wales’ comparatively good case rate. Welsh Government should make clear to businesses the data which has led to this decision.

“During this period of time in which retailers will now be closed, they will miss out on Easter and school holiday trade, much of which may now fall to larger competitor retailers. In the run-up to this period, and with the move from ‘stay home’ to ‘stay local’ many businesses would expect to be busy in a way that would help fortify them for the coming months and help in their recovery.

"Once again, these businesses will be denied an important period of trading, and let’s not forget that these are those firms who have already missed out on an incredible amount.

“Financial support is very welcome and we are pleased that Welsh Government has listened to our plea for further funding for smaller businesses. We are also pleased to see that garden centres, barbers and hairdressers will be able to trade within this period along with outdoor sports facilities.

“We know that many retailers have worked hard to be ready to open within this review period, as Welsh Government has previously intimated would be the case.

"FSB would urge Welsh Government to think again and reconsider what flexibility there can be for small retailers to reopen within this review period, while not sacrificing the improving public health position.

“The fact that Wales has made such significant progress in combating the virus and that there is light at the end of the tunnel is hugely positive and no business wants to return to a locked-down state. However, for many of our smallest businesses, today’s announcement will be bittersweet to say the least.”

A raft of new rules were announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford, earlier today, which include the reopening of sporting facilities this weekend and hairdressers from Monday.

From Saturday 13 March:

• No more than four people from two households will be able to meet in their local area outdoors, including in gardens. Children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit. There must be no indoors mixing and social distancing should be followed.

• Outdoor sports facilities can reopen, including tennis courts, golf courses and bowling greens. A maximum of four people from two households can take part in activities using local sports facilities.

• Indoor care home visits can resume for one designated visitor, with the permission of the care home.

From Monday 15 March:

• All primary pupils and those in qualifications years will return. Schools will have the flexibility to bring in year 10 and 12 pupils, to support them to progress to the next stage of their learning, and more learners will return to colleges. There will also be flexibility for in-school check-ins for all other pupils. All learners will return after the Easter break.

• Hairdressers and barbers can reopen by appointment only to cut hair.

From Monday 22 March:

• The first steps to re-open non-essential retail will begin. Restrictions on the sale of non-essential items will be lifted for those shops, which are currently open.

• Garden centres will also reopen.

An additional £150m will be available to support businesses to the end of March, which are not yet able to open.

The extra funding will see businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates qualify for an additional payment of up to £5,000.

During the third week of the review period, the Welsh Government says it will take stock of the latest evidence before confirming changes for the Easter holidays.

If the public health conditions continue to be favourable, from 27 March:

• The stay local restrictions will be lifted to allow people to travel within Wales.

• Self-contained holiday accommodation will re-open for one household.

• Organised children’s activities outdoors will restart.

• Libraries will reopen.

The review on 1 April will consider whether all remaining shops and close contact services can reopen on the 12 April.

This is in line with planned re-opening in England.