Minchella's sends its love to loyal customers as coronavirus lockdown takes hold

The South Shields ice cream company had worked to keep the business running by only offering takeaways from its Sea Road cafe, with a series of rules put in place to keep visitors distanced.

It had shut up its Ocean Road branch last Thursday, March 19.

Click here for an interactive map of how COVID-19 has had an impact on South Tyneside

However, it announced yesterday, Monday, March 23, that it had been pushed to close all avenues of serving customers due to the coronavirus outbreak – but is already looking forward to returning to serving up treats and snacks when the measures are lifted.

Last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed a three-week lockdown would be put in place, with a series of rules set out, including that people can only shop for essentials.

Minchella’s said it had: “exhausted all measures to operate as safely as realistically possible and want to act with ethical conduct being at the core of our decision.”

The firm had said it had followed the social distancing guidance from the Government as it worked to support the fight against COVID-19.

It added: “We would like to take this time to thank our excellent team for acting under pressure, embracing these measures we have had to adopt at such short notice.

“In these challenging times, we must extend our thanks to all of our customers, many of whom we can call our friends.

“We wish you all the love, safety and health indefinitely.

“We look forward to the day we can re-open our doors again and do what we love doing.”

Earlier, it has asked those in the at-risk groups to stay away to protect themselves from any risk.

While supermarkets and other food shops can remain open, and food deliveries and takeaways are permitted, the business is one of several to say it has halted trade to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Among them is fellow South Tyneside business Dicksons, which confirmed it would close from 2pm today, Wednesday, March 24, with its efforts to go into making products for supermarkets to stock.