BUSINESSES across St Helens have been hit hard during the coronavirus outbreak, none more so than the market traders.
Some of these traders have been able to claim small business grants from the government, via the council, while many have adapted to the new climate.
Currently, St Mary’s Market, Earlestown Saturday Market, Church Square street market and the Chalon Way Car Boot Sale are all closed for business.
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The only market that has been able to physically trade in recent weeks has been the food stalls in the Earlestown Friday Market.
Mags Taylor owns Fairy House Estates & More and trades at a number of markets around Merseyside, including one in Church Square street market.
Mags, from St Helens, said she has lost around 80-90 per cent of her income due to the lockdown.
So far she has not been able to claim any money from the government but says she should be able to claim in June.
She will also be eligible for the government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), which will enable small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 to £50,000.
“To be honest I think the government has been fair,” Mags said.
“I know a lot of people have complained about having to wait until June, but it’s all new to them and you can’t expect Rome to be built in a day.”
Some traders, like Mags, have been able to continue doing a small amount of trading online, through Facebook and virtual markets.
This has also been a good way to keep in touch with customers.
“Our customers have been really supportive,” Mags said.
“It’s been great to wake up from a message from them or to see them when we have delivered to them, even though we had to keep to the social distancing.
“We are going to keep the delivery up and the virtual market as well even when we go back to work.
“We’ve also set up a WhatsApp group this week so we can send photos of new stock that we are getting in.
“To be honest I can’t wait to get back to work as I miss the interaction with the people.
“Having said that, I want it to be safe and I’m not really sure how we will be able to keep the social distancing.
“I’d rather it be safe, even if we have to wait a few weeks.”
St Helens Council said the borough’s market traders are among more than 1,600 local businesses that it has supported with more than £18.65 million of Small Business Grant funding since the government launched the scheme.
These grants range from £10,000 to £25,000.
In Earlestown, the council has also agreed a rent for all traders to help ease the pressure.
Cllr Richard McCauley, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration and housing, said: “Our market traders are really important to us, and just as vulnerable in the current climate as other small businesses across the borough.
“St Mary’s Market is currently closed, with none of the essential traders choosing to operate understandably in such a difficult trading position.
“They’re in the process of receiving or have already received support through the Small Business Grant Funding scheme.
“We still have several essential traders operating on Fridays at Earlestown Market, ensuring residents have access to fresh produce and household essentials, and we’ve agreed a rent relief for all Earlestown traders.”
In recent weeks, the council has seen a drop in the number of applications for Small Business Grant funding
Labour’s Martin Bond, cabinet member for finance, has urged all businesses that have not yet claimed to check whether they are eligible.
Cllr Bond: “We want to make sure that businesses get funding as quickly as possible because we know for many this will make some difference in helping to ease the huge burden they have faced with many forced to close temporarily.
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“We’ve seen a drop in the volume of applications so it’s important that businesses check on whether they are eligible and if so get in touch to get your support.
“Once we have dealt with all enquiries our team will be contacting eligible businesses again to claim the grant.”
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