Hospitality and beauty businesses operating at 'critical' levels in Sheffield

Edward Highfield presented an update on the impact of Covid-19 on business across Sheffield at a recent economic and environmental wellbeing scrutiny committee meeting.

He presented data showing more than half of businesses in the events, hair and beauty, hospitality, health and social care, arts, entertainment and recreation and retail sectors were currently operating at critical sales and booking levels.

For events, hair and beauty and hospitality this figure was three quarters or more.

Mr Highfield: “The impacts are not the same universally, there are some sectors that are doing well, there are some sectors that are being badly affected.

“What I would highlight really is that a lot of the sectors that are really important for the vibrancy and overall attractiveness of our city – so retail, leisure, hospitality, visitor economy – they are the sectors that have been adversely affected, they are the sectors that have been closed longest and are going to be the last to reopen and recover.

“They are also critically, the sectors where there are a lot of jobs, a lot of low pay and insecure work and there are a lot of young people employed.

“So the differential impact of these sectors and its impact on our population is something that is of real significant concern.”

On Monday the government announced a roadmap for easing restrictions but many businesses still face months more of closure.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.