One of Teddington's most popular cafes and meeting places, The Fallow Deer, has closed down until the New Year because of the escalating COVID crisis.

The café in the High Street, closed its doors yesterday (Friday) and posted a notice on the door and in the windows.

The notice said: SORRY WE'RE CLOSED.

And added: "It's with great sadness that we have made the decision to close with immediate effect (Friday 17th Dec) until the New Year for the safety of our amazing team & our incredible customers. With new cases rising rapidly we don't feel like being open is the right thing for us at this time.

"We'll be getting in touch with everyone who has bookings & we're sorry for ruining anyone's plans, we're doing it for the right reasons.

"Thank you so much for your ongoing support this year and we'll catch you on the flip side.

"Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, please stay safe, be kind & look after each other. Much love as always. Al & the Fallow family xxx."

It also became clear today that Johnson's Shoes in Broad Street – is now closed permanently. The shelves are empty and a sign on the door says: "Now permanently closed."

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The shop announced a closing down sale in October when Teddington Nub News revealed that the lack of footfall and the pandemic had forced the closure.