Businesses Facing Festive Shutdown Fear For The Future

Business owners in the west of Scotland say they have been left “totally gutted” following the announcement non-essential shops will be forced to close this week.

- Chris McCall

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday the city was one of 11 local authorities which will be placed in Level 4 – the highest tier of lockdown restrictions – from 6am on Friday.

It means thousands of small traders ranging from cafes to hairdressers will be pulling down the shutters for at least the next three weeks.

Nicky McAvennie has run her beauty salon in Glasgow’s Tollcross for the past 15 years. She’ll be forced to close her doors at a time when business would normally pick up ahead of the festive season.

She said: “I’m totally gutted. This is my livelihood. It’s a blow to me and the beauty sector. I know lots of girls across the industry and we’re all absolutely devastated.

“December is our busiest time. You have your full year’s clientele coming in that month to have treatments done. That’s all stopped.

“We’ve been relying on December to bring in income to see us through the quiet months of January and February. We don’t have that now.”