It’s too soon to return to work say tradesmen
TRADESPEOPLE like cleaners, electricians and plasterers told the Daily Express yesterday they fear it is too soon to return to work.
Plasterer Andrew Richardson, 30, runs Flawless Finish Plastering in Timperley, Altrincham.
The father-of-four said he cannot take risks restarting work as he has his kids to think about.
Andrew said: “I stopped working to be on the safe side but I’m desperate to get back to it.
“I had to apply for Universal Credit to get by but I’ve still got enquiries from my regulars.”
Electrician Niall Tonkinson, 28, runs TN Electrical Services out of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
The father-of-two said his firm has been losing “about £6,000 a month” in the lockdown.
He said: “I employ myself and two other men.The problem we have is we might want to go back to work but we can’t just start ringing people up saying ‘We’re ready now’! I don’t think the latest guidance from Boris made much sense. He basically said stay at home but don’t stay at home, so I don’t know when we will be able to start working again.”
Larraine Ryan, 42, owns Diamond Cleaning Co in Urmston, Greater Manchester.
The mum-of-two said: “Nothing has changed for us, it’s just not safe for us to go back to work.
“All of my customers are at home with children. I have 10 staff who all work in pairs, there’s no way they could social-distance. It’s a ‘no’ from me at this point.”
Painter Chaz Wilding, 28, said he does not yet feel safe enough to return to decorating homes.
The father-of-three, who runs Painting Services Liverpool, said: “I’ve got two children to think about. It’s a joke to suggest people should start going back to work.
“I’ve had requests to do jobs but I’ve turned them down because it’s not worth the risk.
“The new advice is to stay alert and be careful but how can we go back to work and do that?”