BUSINESSES are bracing themselves for an increase in coronavirus disruption, with some already feeling the strain.

The Leader visited Wrexham town centre on Monday to find out how businesses are getting ready and what effect the spread of the illness has already had.

Laura Evison, of Regent House of Flowers in Yorke Street, said she has concerns about her supply of flowers.

"Our main deliveries come from Holland," said 47-year-old Ms Evison.

"If they lock down borders, it will be difficult. "We haven't had a wedding cancel yet, but we're getting ready for it."

Ms Evison said she has adapted the way the business works to cater more for those who are self isolating, including a phone call to arrange leaving delivered flowers in an agreed location.

She said the impact of self-isolation- should it become necessary - could cause problems for her staff's income, as well as her own.

Steven Vale, owner of Caroline's Viennese Patisserie in the Central Arcade, said he has already felt the impact.

"I've had some people phoning up to cancel cakes," said Mr Vale.

"The last one was for a christening at the weekend.

"People have been cancelling the cakes because they've been cancelling their parties and gatherings."

Mr Vale said he has also noticed the impact on footfall in the town - as has Kevin Dipple, owner of the Cafe in the Corner in the South Mall.

He told the Leader trade has been falling continually, to the point where he and his wife Sue have decided to close the business.

With the further drop in trade as the public exercises extra caution over coronavirus, he has decided to close the cafe's doors next Friday (March 27).

"It's gone very quiet," he said. "Thursday, Friday and Saturday were much poorer than usual."

Neighbouring business Wrexham Jewellery Repairs is also feeling the pinch of reduced footfall, which owner Adam Williams said he attributes to coronavirus concerns.

Summing up the situation, he said: "I've just had the worst two financial weeks of my life."

Dorothy Crimes, owner of Dot 2 Dot cafe, has taken steps to protect her customers including a table of hand wipes and tissues by the door, as well as individually wrapping sterilised cutlery sets.

She said: "We put the tissues and wipes there on Friday and a lot of people have been using them."

Mrs Crimes, 71, said she is concerned about the prospect of being asked to self-isolate for a significant amount of time.

"I'd have to either shut my business down or leave it to my staff," she said.

"I've said if one of us goes down with it we will shut for a week and deep clean the cafe.

"I've been in catering for 40 years and I've never seen anything like this."

Robert Dale, of Dale's fruit and veg in the Butchers Market, said market traders were getting increasingly concerned about the idea of losing trade as well as having to self-isolate themselves.

He also said he had seen for himself the impact of panic-buying which has been happening across the UK as people stock their homes with supplies.

"Getting stock has been my problem because of the demand on the warehouses," he said.

"I think it's gone out of all proportion, especially the panic buying.

"People need to calm down and use common sense."

PANIC BUYING

The Leader spoke with shoppers to find out their views on the panic-buying which has caused shops to sell out of hand sanitizer, toilet rolls, pasta and many other products across the country.

Phil and Thelma Sanger, from Tan y Fron, described the behaviour as "mad".

Mr Sanger, 67, said: "It is just ridiculous. We went to the supermarket and it was unbelievable - we were told they had sold out of toilet rolls in four minutes.

"We're not stocking up - it's mad."

Rosanna Jones, 62, of Wrexham, said: "I think the panic-buying is not necessary.

"Shelves are completely empty. I just don't understand it."

Dewi Hughes, 81, of Wrexham, said: "I completely disagree with it.

"I've seen it on the TV. Shops should ration it."

Kevin Dipple, of Cafe in the Corner, said: "It's scandalous. Just do what you normally do."

One shopper, who did not want to be named, said: "It is stupidity - they will probably be left with loads of it afterwards. I don't see the point,"

"It's selfish," said Beryl Read, 74, of Wrexham.

"I've seen it - shelves virtually devoid of any pasta.

"The shops asked people to be reasonable, but most people will probably ignore that."

Her husband Eric, 75, called on others to "be sensible" adding that: "Older people will struggle to get what they need."