Firebreak lockdown: London businesses worried about more ‘damage’ from restrictions

London businesses worry they will be “damaged” if there is a two-week “firebreak’ lockdown during the October half term.

This comes as coronavirus cases in the UK surge to their highest level since March, with scientists warning of an “extended peak” of infections and hospitalisations.

A full lockdown is unlikely and would be a last resort but this news brings anxiety to businesses across the capital.

“I know there is talk of just the schools shutting, but we are part of the risk assessment so we don’t know if we are going to be shut again too,” said Cher Sep, owner of Cher Salons, in Tooting.

“Obviously the leisure sector and salons have been closed down for a long time now throughout the pandemic.

“The economy has been damaged a lot as you can see, there are lots of shops and lots of businesses that have closed down already and the damage is irreparable.

“We’re going to be damaged as we’ve spent a lot of money on marketing and advertising and it’s not going to be good news for us again. It makes everybody worried.”

The government’s furlough scheme, which has supported millions of workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic, is also set to end on 30 September, which adds to Cher’s anxiety.

“It’s worrying as we’re supposed to be back to normal, but the government has said that businesses don’t need any support anymore as all funding has been cut,” Cher said.

Kuba Hetman, owner of Pinch vegan cafe, who opened his business in April this year, said he has come up with a “Plan B” in case of another lockdown.

“Being a small business owner I have to have the prospect of lockdowns in mind,” he explained.

“For this I have a Plan B, which is a subscription meal plan or a chef experience in which I want to teach people how to cook delicious vegan food.

“If the lockdown is going to be for two weeks it’s not that bad, if it’s going to be another year, that’s tragic.

“It’s been an interesting experience opening a business during the pandemic.

“You never know how it’s going to be, one week it’s okay, the other it’s not.”

A spokesperson for the government said that it was “not planning a lockdown or firebreak during the October half-term” but it “retains contingency plans as part of responsible planning for a range of scenarios”

They added that “such measures would only be re-introduced as a last resort to prevent unsustainable pressure on the NHS”.

The government is also believed to be considering reintroducing mask wearing and social distancing within public spaces and on transport as early as this month, in an effort to avoid a fourth national lockdown.

The latest UK figures show there have been 38,975 positive cases, with 191 daily deaths within 28 days of testing positive.