Business owners warn of extended lockdown impact

BUSINESS owners have warned the Executive of the impact an extension to lockdown will have on their futures — and the wellbeing and mental health of the public.

Their comments come as the Executive announced the current lockdown, which kicked off at the end of December, will continue until March 5 — possibly beyond — with a review due on February 18.

And CBI director Angela McGowan appealed to those in power to look at further support for firms.

She said: “The Northern Ireland Executive must now redouble efforts to get business support to the firms that need it as quickly as possible. Similarly, the UK Government must look at extending the successful Job Retention Scheme to the end of June to protect jobs and livelihoods at risk.”

Rosemary Wright, owner of Ashburn Image, a skin clinic in Eglinton, Co Londonderry, said financial support “is nowhere near enough and then you have to ask yourself, when this is all over, will customers have the money to spend on treatments?”

“I would love to be back at work as my finances are stretched to full capacity but I would prefer to see some results from the vaccine before going back,” she added.

“I wasn’t surprised that we were put in lockdown again as the death rate is getting so high every day and with no sign of it coming down it would have been total car crash situation to let everybody back in mixing together.”

Barber and business owner Kenny Parker, who recently opened Cut and Grind in Lisburn Square, and also operates Bedford Barber Lounge in Belfast, said opening safely during the pandemic can be achieved and would save many businesses.

He said: “This repeated series of lockdowns has had a huge detrimental impact on our two salons. Most of our staff are self employed and many have sadly fallen through the cracks not qualifying for support. Everyone is struggling to make ends meet and it’s hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. I completely understand and support the current lockdown but I would urge those in power to open up as soon as possible. Our industry is well regulated and we can easily continue to provide a safe service for as long as it is necessary.”

Meanwhile James Higgins, owner of Hi-performance Training in Springbank Industrial Estate, said the move would not only impact the fitness sector, but it will have an undercurrent of issues for the wellbeing and mental health of the people in Northern Ireland.

He said: “The extended lockdown is having a massive impact on the fitness industry as January is a time when people are ready to make changes to their lifestyle by joining the gym which has a positive effect on not just their physical but mental wellbeing. This then puts a strain on the NHS.

“Obesity is also the highest it’s ever been and having a BMI over 40 has been proven to increases the risk of mortality from Covid-19 by 90%. If you look at that and the statistics that show gyms have contributed to less than 2% to the spread of Covid-19, with proper sanitation and safety measures in place we are a safer environment than the supermarket.”

He added: “The support we get just about keeps us ticking over and pays the bills but that’s it.”

Glyn Roberts, Retail NI chief executive, said there will be many independent retailers who will not survive this lockdown.