FEARS over the spread of coronavirus are beginning to hit business owners in Denbighshire amid a decline in high street footfall.

Hotels, restaurants and cafés have had cancellations from customers who say they are worried about visiting public spaces.

It comes as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus, Covid-19, increased in North Wales and the region suffered its first death, a 68-year-old patient at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, on Monday, March 16.

Darren Millar, AM for Clwyd West has urged the Welsh Government to provide financial support for small businesses in North Wales as they are “already feeling the impact” of the crisis.

Llinos Evans, owner of Abbey Grange Hotel near the Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen, said she is worried that the business could have to shut down over fears that it could spread the virus with visitors travelling from across the UK and abroad.

“We are already having cancellations now and if it does carry on we will shut down because people travel from distances and they may have the virus,” she said.

“There are many elements to take in as we have bedrooms and produce food so we are very concerned.

“We don’t know if we are overpanicking or not doing enough; it would be good to have more advice because there doesn’t seem to be much at the moment.”

Karen Hall, owner of the Brookhouse Mill in Denbigh, said there has been a “slight downturn” however business has remained busy during weekends.

“We have had cancellations of bookings for large gatherings such as birthdays and anniversaries, which we understand because people are concerned, especially older people wants don’t want to come out to socialise,” said Mrs Hall.

“We are concerned because we are not part of a chain, being self-employed wonder how going to cope. We’ve had to cut casual staff hours and we owe it to our full-time staff to keep open.

“The main thing is that we keep up our hygiene and sanitisation so we don’t contract it here.

“We’re lucky that we have a loyal customer base so we’re trying not to worry too much.”

Ifor Sion, owner of the Glyndwr Hotel in Corwen, said he is optimistic that the business can survive a fall in customers over the coming months.

“We have had a number of cancellations of accommodation but that’s to be expected,” he said.

“We will be able to manage the situation as we are running on low staff so we can weather the situation for the next six months.“It is one thing to go for the next two months when [Coronovirus] gets to its peak, but even after that we don’t know how longer it will go on.”

Sarah Hughes, owner of Barlleath in Ruthin, said the had “gone quiet” over the last week.

“We noticed business had gone down and became a bit quieter,” she said:“People are weary about coming out but today [Monday] has been busier, which is hard to predict.

“There’s not a lot we can do really but just keep going.”