It is totally unbelievable ..we have all been left in limbo again THE STYLIST

Nothing new for hospitality Dark day says salon owner Future bleak after roadmap

We are left in limbo yet again and it is just really hard to keep the spirits up PAUL O’HARE DUKE OF YORK GENERAL MANAGER

OWNERS of hospitality and close-contact services have described yesterday’s roadmap announcements as “deflating” and “disappointing”.

The Mirror spoke to a number of business representatives from Belfast and the feeling was one of frustration. The general manager of the Duke of York, one of the city’s busiest bars pre-pandemic, told of his disappointment at how wet pubs are being treated in the plans.

Paul O’hare said: “It is totally unbelievable.

“It has been nearly a year to the day since we have been closed and a bit of hope and a bit of direction could have helped greatly. Even something to work towards would have been good.

“We are left in limbo yet again about when we are able to open and it is just really hard to keep the spirits up.”

Lee Murphy, owner of Love and Death bar and nightclub, added: “I don’t really know how to feel about it all, but I suppose it is better than last time where we aren’t going to be going by dates that will have us open and close and open and close.

PLANNING

“I’d rather open when we can and when it’s safe to – so it definitely is a better plan, but it’s still not overly good or clear.

“In regards to planning, we are pretty much already set up anyway from the last time so we know what we need and we have everything sitting ready to go. We started a cockdelivery during lockdown so we are always in work which is good as we know what needs done for when we are told we can go – we are much more prepared this time.”

Popular Lisburn Road bar and restaurant Ryan’s adapted to closure by offering a takeaway service for both food and drink.

General manager Richard Black said: “The announcement didn’t really give us anything new or unexpected because I think everyone just assumed that there would be a phased return similar to previous times.

“We were hoping for dates but, understandability, that has to be based around the scientific evidence and where we are in terms of the R rate, but what we would have hoped for, even alongside the phases, would have been some form of a timeframe.

“Before this was announced, we were waiting for the next review and we are pretty much in the same position in terms of planning for the busitail

It is no use to anyone – it gives nobody any direction PAUL STAFFORD OWNER OF STAFFORD HAIR

This is literally sinking all of the small businesses and should have been sorted JOYCE WELLS OWNER OF JOYCE WELLS HAIR AND BEAUTY

ness – the roadmap doesn’t really give us anything more.

Paul Stafford, owner of Stafford Hair on the Lisburn Road, called it “a dark day” as he feels the exit plan lacks clarity for businesses in the industry.

He added: “It is no use to anyone – it gives nobody any direction. It’s all well coming out and pontificating on how well we have all behaved and that it is going in the right direction but not give us any guidance and reassurance that there is an endgame. I think from a business perspective, its actually done more harm than good because we were all sitting waiting here to tell our clients and staff that we were coming back with a great surge of positivity, but I have to say that it is very deflating.”

“We have literally been open three weeks in total since October and as we move into what should have been one of our busiest times of year, I feel very nervous that this step three thing is going to push into early May. For me, the prospect of losing the best part of six months of trade in 2021 really worries me – how do we recover from this?

“This is quite a dark day and may just be the worst day that I’ve had in the entire period since we went into lockdown because we have all had a hard start to 2021 and what they have done has really set us back.”

GUESSING

Makeup artist and owner of CM Studios Caoimhe Marie said she was not surprised by the roadmap announcement.

She added: “It’s just all a bit confusing that there are no dates included and I think everyone is just playing a bit of a guessing game as to when we are going to get back to work.

“I just think that during this lockdown, I’ve tried to keep my expectations really low as to not be disappointed if the outcome wasn’t in our favour and I just don’t think it really surprises me anymore. I don’t think I can even count the number of times I’ve had to close this year, it’s been a nightmare.”

Salon owner Joyce Wells of Joyce Wells Hair and Beauty called the guidance “an absolute disgrace”.

She said: “I am not alone in saying that we are none the wiser after this announcement.

“We were told at Christmas that this would be for six weeks and each month we have been rescheduling appointments for the month after.

“Now three months in a row we’ve been rescheduling for there not to be any guidance on when we will be able to open so we can prepare.

“This is literally sinking all of the small businesses in Northern Ireland and should have been sorted a long time ago.”

THE SALONS