Isabelle's Tea and Cakes on Telegraph Road has closed and will not reopen until the new year.

This follows a member of staff testing positive for COVID-19.

On Facebook, Isabelle's Mel, along with Stu and Issy, explained what had happened.

"They [the team member] had not shown any symptoms, but went to a lateral test centre and subsequently to a PCR centre to confirm and so test and trace could begin. They are well thank God and now self isolating.

"May I stress that they are deeply upset and for some reason blaming themselves which must not be judged by anyone. This could happen to any one of us and as a family have assured them that there is most definitely no blame but only respect for following all the government guidelines.

"Test and trace have now contacted our team member and have confirmed that the risk to us and our customers is low with all the procedures we had in place and will not be requiring any further information.

"We have other team members who have been tested since again with no symptoms and all have come back negative.

"After seeking advice today and with only one team member so far testing positive we have been informed that we could re-open following a deep clean programme being implemented on the premises.

"However we as a family following the escalating events around our country have decided to close our business until at least the new year.

"We hope you all fully understand our decision; this has now not become about running a business but about keeping us, our team and customers as safe as possible."

The announcement inspired many kind comments:

"Every credit to the staff member and all of you for being so responsible and minimising the risk to others. Hope you have a very happy Christmas."

"Such a considerate decision to take. Well done for everything you have done during the pandemic. Have a good rest and try to enjoy Christmas xx"

"You have all worked so hard and always do everything in the right way. Well done for keeping Heswall lovely."

Heswall Nub News would like to second these and the many other tributes and good wishes, and looks forward to seeing Isabelle's open again when the time feels right to the owners.

We wish everyone at Isabelle's all the very best.