Unkindest cut for hair and beauty
LOCKDOWN IS A FAR MORE SEVERE BLOW THAN TIER 3
BUSINESSES in Nottinghamshire which would have stayed open under Tier 3 restrictions are now preparing to close for a national lockdown.
Hairdressers were told they could remain open under Tier 3 measures, announced on Wednesday.
But just three days later, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s second national lockdown was declared, forcing all non-essential shops to close from Thursday.
Alison Flewkes, who runs Alison’s Mobile Hair and Beauty, in Ilkeston, said: “This will mean some smaller businesses close for good, especially in our industry.
“I’m self-employed, I’m single, I live on my own, I don’t qualify for any government support until December 14 - what am I supposed to do until then?
“I’ve been in business for 31 years and I’m barely keeping afloat.
“What the government don’t realise is how important the Christmas period is to our industry.
It’s always very quiet in January, February and March.
“This period is when we make our money.
“Thankfully I have a lot of loyal customers. The problem is there is nowhere for small businesses like me to turn to.”
Dawn Kendall, of Kendall Hairdressing, said: “I had a lot of bookings for November, so I’m just working my way through those, trying to rearrange them.
“It has been a strange week - I did feel when Tier 3 restrictions came in that I would be able to carry on. But obviously that’s not the case. “In a way, I’m more fortunate than others because I don’t employ any other staff.
“We are all in this together, so I just have to accept these things as a business owner as people’s health is more important.”
The East Midlands Business Chamber has criticised the government’s “unclear, stop-start approach” and warned the economy must not “be allowed to grind to a halt as it did earlier this year”. Dean Huthwaite, who runs Deano’s Barbershop, in Bingham, feels the national lockdown is the right thing to do. He said: “To be honest, it is what it is - if that’s what needs to be done for the safety of the country, then so be it.
“I was expecting it, even when we were allowed to open in Tier 3.”
This will mean some smaller businesses close for good, especially in our industry.
Hair stylist Alison Flewkes