The government’s "stay at home" message appears to have worked in Ripon with very few people out and about today.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, whose own business – The Magdalens pub in Princess Road – is closed because of the coronavirus crisis, told the Stray Ferret:

Cllr Parkin, who has lived in Ripon all his life and been landlord of The Magdalens for four years, added:

Though he doesn’t know when he will be able to pull the next pint in his pub, the Mayor has turned it into a temporary community hub supporting local people, including the elderly who live in the nearby Almshouses of The Hospital of St Mary Magdalene. They can call for fresh fruit, vegetables and milk to be delivered and also have prescriptions collected on their behalf.

Very few people were on the streets of Ripon this morning and those who were, were either heading to or from the handful of food shops that remain open, or going to chemists, banks and building societies.The centre will see more activity on Thursday, as the market will be open to sell fresh food items only.

One business unsure of when it will be back again is Oliver’s Pantry café in North Street, which has been closed for a couple of days. There is a poignant message in its window from owner Louise Grant, reading: