Grace Cards & Books - Keep us Open!
Donation protected
Hi Friends Everywhere! We would really appreciate your help in raising funds for legal costs we may have to pay for refusing to close our, apparently, 'non essential' shop during the last 2 lockdowns.
We are a family-run business of 30 years. The first lockdown meant we were closed for 12 weeks, which we hoped would not be repeated. Then came the pre-Christmas lockdown, which was devastating news for those retailers being told to close. The government weren't even offering enough to cover our rent! So we decided to remain open for business & exercise our divine right to earn an honest living.
Since the beginning of the 2nd lockdown we have been harrassed by the council & police by email, fines & visits of one kind & another. A few doors away WHSmiths (who sell very similar products to ourselves) are allowed to trade in peace & safety.
We have made an attempt to make ourselves more 'essential' by now selling drinks, confectionary & daily newspapers, but the council consider it to be 'not enough'.
We have been to court to challenge the fines we have received. These amount to £35,000 plus costs. If the result is that we dont have to pay, then the money raised here will be used to get our shop on-line and to help a local charity called Good Soil Trust that our shop supports.
We send our love & thanks to you all.
Lydia, Alasdair & Family
We are a family-run business of 30 years. The first lockdown meant we were closed for 12 weeks, which we hoped would not be repeated. Then came the pre-Christmas lockdown, which was devastating news for those retailers being told to close. The government weren't even offering enough to cover our rent! So we decided to remain open for business & exercise our divine right to earn an honest living.
Since the beginning of the 2nd lockdown we have been harrassed by the council & police by email, fines & visits of one kind & another. A few doors away WHSmiths (who sell very similar products to ourselves) are allowed to trade in peace & safety.
We have made an attempt to make ourselves more 'essential' by now selling drinks, confectionary & daily newspapers, but the council consider it to be 'not enough'.
We have been to court to challenge the fines we have received. These amount to £35,000 plus costs. If the result is that we dont have to pay, then the money raised here will be used to get our shop on-line and to help a local charity called Good Soil Trust that our shop supports.
We send our love & thanks to you all.
Lydia, Alasdair & Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Lydia Walker-Cox
Organizer
Alasdair Walker-Cox
Beneficiary
