The businesses and organisations hit hardest by the announcement
Managers at Wigmore Hall have indicated the return of live audiences could be delayed for months, but shows will still go on even if the venue is empty.
The Victorian concert hall had intended to announce its autumn programme with strict social distancing guidelines in place.
But John Gilhooly, the director, said that the hall will press ahead with its plans, even if the autumn concerts are still threatened with uncertainty following the announcement by the Government.
However, he said that while music will ring out in the historic hall, there may not be a live audience at the London auditorium to hear it.
“It’s a small setback,” he said. “But we plough ahead with our plans for concerts in September and October, even if they have to be broadcast from an empty hall. We are used to cancellations and postponements in classical music. We are confident of mounting an ambitious series and all of the work towards that has been worthwhile and is not lost.
“We might even be allowed a small public by then.”
A beauty salon boss has described how the surprise Government decision to delay the reopening of her sector could “finish us off ”. Vanita Parti is the founder of Blink Brow Bar, which was planning to open seven of its branches across London this weekend when measures were finally eased. But she now faces the prospect of letting down 2,000 customers who were due to visit her salons over the next week.
“I’m actually feeling so embarrassed about telling the customers they can’t come in tomorrow and with only 24 hours notice,” she said.
“I wish Boris could come down so I can do his eyebrows and show him how hygienic we are.”
Ms Parti said her staff of 250 had been working around the clock to ensure they were safe to open today.
The setback has meant the future of the company is now in doubt because there is another fortnight without income to help pay salaries. Ms Parti added: “To bring staff, your head office back, without making any money, it’s just going to finish us off.”
Bride-to-be Hannah Buttriss had already reconciled herself to a scaled-back wedding after two years of planning were thrown into chaos. So when the Government announced receptions could host up to 30 guests, the 24-year-old was “ecstatic”.
But, her hopes were dashed when Boris Johnson declared a pause on the plan yesterday. Ms Buttriss, who works in occupational therapy in Nottingham, and Barnaby Pitkin, her university sweetheart, said they were “devastated”.
Determined not to wait any longer to start a family, the couple will press on with plans for their wedding next Saturday, but loved ones will be forced to part ways after the service. They may try to get around Covid-19 rules by bringing their wedding party to a local pub, with guests safely and legally sitting at separate tables.
“When we found out we could have receptions of 30 people we were so pleased, we were ecstatic,” Ms Buttriss said. “Now we’re absolutely devastated. It’s so disappointing.
“We’re having to plan all over again. It’s a nightmare.”