Businesses struggling to stay afloat could be dealt a devastating blow if the coronavirus crisis worsens in the Harrogate district. 

After months of Brexit uncertainty, the negative impact of the UCI cycling for some businesses in September, and weeks of bad weather at the start of the year, spring could have brought much-needed relief. 

Now, fears are growing that restrictions on travel and public gatherings could further impact businesses – many of which are teetering on the edge of survival. 

Sue Kramer, who owns Crown Jewellers on Commercial Street with her husband, said:

“If it does take hold, I think it could be catastrophic for many businesses.

“We’re fortunate not to be struggling, but there are many who are. How many businesses have enough of a cushion to tide them over for an unknown length of time?” 

Her views were echoed by William Woods, of Woods Fine Linens of Harrogate, who said: “We’re very concerned. There are no cases in Harrogate yet, but it could have a devastating effect not only on our business but the whole town centre.” 

Concerns over self-employed

The government this week announced it would offer statutory sick pay from the first day of absence to anyone who was self-isolating in order to avoid the risk of spreading coronavirus. However, this would not benefit self-employed people, or those on low wages or zero-hours contracts. 

With a higher than average number of start-up businesses in the district, along with many jobs in low-paid sectors including care and hospitality, there could be resistance to self-isolating among people who would stand to lose two weeks’ wages as a result. 

The Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate has reported no noticeable impact on footfall so far

Kate Curtis, an independent inventory clerk who works with estate agents in the Harrogate area to assess properties, said it could also affect people working on commission, who rely on the extra money on top of their basic wage and would lose it if they were not working. 

“If you are the main bread winner, there’s a huge amount of pressure to keep earning,” she said. “As a busy self-employed person, I’ve struggled to keep up with the advice because it seems to change all the time.” 

Energy surveyor Nick Cushing, who lives in Wath near Ripon and works across North and West Yorkshire, said: “As somebody who works on my own, if I’m incapacitated, the earning stops immediately. 

“If you worked for somebody else, you would be more willing to drop tools and say, ‘it’s not worth it’. When you are self-reliant and self-employed, you will carry on doing what you are doing until the very last moment and sometimes beyond.”