A BURNLEY fish and chip shop has closed and is asking other non-essential businesses to consider doing the same.

Lanehead chippy, ran by Melanie and her husband Mark, has closed its doors as Melanie didn't want to tempt people to go out during the national lockdown as infection rates in Burnley remain to be the highest in the county.

Melanie said: "I don't see we are essential - you don't have to come out to a take-away.

"If everybody else is open then they don't care. In my opinion they do not care about their customers.

"I care deeply about my customers and I have elderly customers."

The fish and chip shop, on Marsden Road, is now closed to the public to try and keep customers, staff and their families safe as the virus continues to spread in the borough.

Christine, who has underlying health conditions, has said that the move was heart-breaking but she knew the safety of the community was more important.

She added: "I don't think businesses are taking it seriously.

"I could not live with myself if something came out of my shop. It's not just about me its about everybody else and that's why I have done it."

Melanie and Mark took over the chip shop from her father and the family have now ran the take-away for 25 years and have developed a relationship with their regular customers.

The couple hope that other businesses consider temporarily closing while infection rates are high if they believe they are a non-essential business.

Melanie continued: "I was told by the council that I could open as I am a food source but in my eyes I'm not essential.

"Its not like I'm feeding the NHS - nothing's going to happen if I don't open."

The Government guidance states that hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs should close unless they can provide food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through.

A spokesperson for Burnley council said: "All of us should continue to follow Government guidance to help save lives, protect ourselves and others, and reduce the impact on the NHS.

"The council has worked with local businesses throughout the pandemic, and will continue to so, to help them implement essential health and safety measures to ensure the safety of customers and staff and to enable them to follow Government guidelines."