Stockton Businesses share concerns for the future - as new restrictions are brought in

As people across Teesside get to grips with the new raft of restrictions in place for Stockton, Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland - there's concern businesses will struggle

Local leaders have said this is a last chance to avoid going into Tier 3 - with forced shutdowns.

Middlesbrough and Hartlepool have already faced some extra restrictions - but for the rest of the region these are the first.

Jason Maxwell from Stockton BID, says many small businesses are worried about having to close;

"It's likely that everyone will move to a Tier 3 anyway,

"We want to avoid that if we can, and I think the people of our borough, the North East in general who aren't in those Tier 3 stages, is that we have to comply with the things we've been asked to do."

One of the complaints being raised by local leaders, including Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston, is that financial support isn't being offered to Tier 2 businesses who face curfews and bans on households mixing.

Only businesses in Tier 3 will be offered that extra financial support.

But many of the restrictions here will still cause trouble for companies on Teesside,

Jason explains, these next few months are usually crucial for companies;

"There's real worry, I've been contacted by four or five businesses over the last week or so - since we've had leaks out to the press,

"They're worried they won't make it over the next month, six weeks, certainly won't make it to Christmas.

"This is the time when they would be having most of their sales, that would actually put some money in the bank to get them through January and February.

"Without that lead up to that, it's going to be really really difficult, businesses are feeling really really worried.

"And to be fair - I think this is the time for local authorities to step up."