A HAIRDRESSER says her business only survived lockdown thanks to her loyal customers after she was unable to get financial help from the Government.

Verity Clarke, who runs her eponymous salon in Grange Way, Colchester, did not receive any support when the pandemic hit.

Verity, along with millions of other self-employed workers, didn’t qualify for government help, in her case as she had not been in operation long enough so was left with nothing but outgoings.

The business owner relied on customers purchasing gift vouchers and holding Zoom consultations to survive.

Verity said: “The lockdown meant I was not able to do what I love, hairdressing.

“I received no government support at all, so I only just survived thanks to the support of my loyal customers who agreed to buy gift vouchers from me.

“As an industry, I think the mental-health impact on business owners in my sector having to go through it all again would be huge.”

But Verity is optimistic about the future. She said: “I’m busier than ever and I think that will continue.

“I offered advice, via Zoom, to people wanting to style and cut their own hair during lockdown, and this helped to nearly double my social media followers.”

It comes as Amaiz, the small business banking app, found nearly half of small businesses are now worried there will be another lockdown.

Matt Goddard, head of acquisitions at Amaiz, said: “Verity Clarke Hair is just one of the numerous small businesses we’ve spoken to, during the lockdown, about their struggles, and it is has been heartbreaking to see successful businesses, run by hard-working owners, reduced to nothing.

“Most are resilient but a second lockdown is a terrifying nightmare for many of them.”