A MUCH-LOVED Westcliff business is “working hand to mouth” as it continues to fight through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Jacqson Diego Story Emporium, on London Road, is an award-winning children’s bookshop.

Before Covid-19 took over the world, Westcliff’s only independent bookshop welcomed countless youngsters to the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium for story time and arranged for authors to meet pupils at schools.

But government guidelines mean the business has been unable to maintain those fun events.

Jacqueline Johnson, managing director of the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium, said: “It’s been a terrible year for businesses and we had to physically close during the second lockdown.

“The pandemic and shutting for an extensive period of time has had a major impact on us and we have had to change how we work to make sure we follow the guidelines.

What we are doing now compared to a year ago is completely different. It’s like running a completely different business.

Echo:

Award-winning bookshop - the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium

“But I have always been a positive person and am hoping for a bright future.”

Despite south Essex sinking into Tier 3 earlier this week in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus, retail outlets such as the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium have been able to remain open.

Jacqueline is encouraging members of the community who are yet to finish their Christmas shopping to support local businesses in these testing times.

She added: “Without business ahead of Christmas, I don’t quite know what we would do.

“We are working hand to mouth at the moment.

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“We would normally be expecting to take enough money over the Christmas period to see us through to Easter next year, but the pandemic resulted in people being afraid to leave the house and go shopping.

“It’s impossible to plan because we don’t know what’s going to happen in the months ahead.

“Thankfully, our regular customers and the community have been fantastic, but you can’t tell what is going to happen going forward.

“It’s so important that the community supports local businesses.”

Call 01268 533933 for details about our Echo Love Local Business campaign.