Leicester became the UK’s first city to experience a local lockdown just as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his ‘New Deal’ plan to soften the blow to Britain’s economy post-pandemic. What does a new surge in coronavirus cases mean

for the heath of the Midlands city’s businesses? We spoke to local hair salon owner Barrie Stephen who says after weeks of intense preparation and thousands of pounds spent, the news is devastating.

And, the National Gallery is set to re-open its doors - the first of the museums and galleries to do so as lockdown measures in England begin to ease. Director Gabriele Finaldi says this is a big moment not just for him, but for the recovery of the nation. Arts editor Nancy Durrant spoke with him for a piece in today’s Evening Standard, she tells us what visitors can expect when they visit next week. 

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