Professionals hit by impact of pandemic
PHOTOGRAPHER
Sean Elliott, Sean Elliott
Photography
“I’ve run a successful wedding photography studio for over 12 years. Currently, nearly 100 of my 2020 bookings have been rescheduled well into 2021 and beyond – taking my fee with them.
“Despite working in hospitality venues in the art of photography, I’m neither classed as hospitality, nor the arts, and as a result I haven’t received any meaningful financial support.
“As a limited company director I haven’t qualified for any self-employed grants either.”
FLORIST
Kay Mcneil, Wild and Wonderful
Flowers
“The size of the arts and wedding industry and how many professions feed into it is significantly underestimated.
“My company has been bringing joy to so many people for over 16 years. I’m currently relying on all my savings, but it’s costing me more than I make.”
MAKEUP ARTIST
Danielle Hall, Dani MUA
“Work has always given me a purpose. Having it stop has had a huge effect on my mental health.
“We’ve all still had all of our outgoings too. I bought entirely new stock before the pandemic, and it’s now all near to expiring. I don’t feel part of the bigger picture.”
WEDDING PLANNER
Cat Mcelroy, Saying I Do Wedding
Planning
“Wedding and events suppliers desperately need bookings and deposits, but couples just have no confidence at the moment.
“Many have rescheduled two, three, even four times already. They are tired of the upheaval and sadly their excitement is dwindling.”
HAIRSTYLIST Professional hair stylist Lisa
Cameron
“It’s hard not to lose my motivation. I miss driving to work, speaking with brides and hearing their story.
“The thought of losing my business after building it up over 17 years is just devastating.”
WEDDING FURNITURE HIRE Jane Flatman, Birdcages and
Dragonflies
“I wouldn’t like to think of the money we’ve lost. We had 117 weddings booked this year, but only did 12.
“We’d also just bought a 7.5-tonne wagon, but had to sell it as it was too expensive to keep on the road given the circumstances.”
WEDDING DRESS SHOP OWNER Gayle Stamp, Bridal Boutique
“In the small window in which we could open this year, appointments were still significantly reduced due to attendees being limited to the bride’s immediate bubble – which is usually their partner.
“Still, we try to remain positive and supportive for our couples, even though there’s very little support for us.”
MASKED raiders robbed a man in his Sunderland home in a terrifying Valentine’s Day raid.
One robber, wielding a knife, burst into the Grangetown property and demanded cash as the other two waited outside.
They then fled in a red car with a haul that included £600 cash and the victim’s mobile phone.
Detectives have now launched a witness appeal following the robbery, which left the victim “shaken” but uninjured.
The incident unfolded at around 5.50pm on
February 14 at a property in Stratford Avenue.
The culprits, who were all wearing masks, drove away in the direction of Matanzas Street.
Northumbria Police say the vehicle was described as either the shape of a
Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa or VW Golf.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the “Tell Us Something” page of the force’s website or by calling 101 quoting log 676 140221.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
WHOLE families with children in school or college will be able to test themselves for coronavirus twice a week from home under plans for schools to safely re-open in England from March 8.
Free tests will be provided to pupils’ households, as well as those in their childcare or support bubbles, regardless of whether anyone has symptoms, the Government has said.
The rapid tests will be ordered and collected from local sites or administered through workplace testing programmes, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
Secondary and college pupils will be tested with lateral flow tests twice a week, receiving three initial tests at school before they start taking them at home.
Families with collegeaged teenagers who are not studying are not included.
The twice-weekly tests will also be offered to adults working with schools, such as bus drivers and afterschool club leaders.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said testing family members “will provide yet another layer of reassurance to parents and education staff that schools are as safe as possible”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, pictured, said: “Regular testing of households and childcare support bubbles of primary and secondary school children is another tool we are making available to help keep schools safe.
“We know that one in three people with Covid-19 don’t have any symptoms, so targeted, regular testing will mean more positive cases are kept out of schools and colleges.” His department said the tests will be available from tomorrow.