FSB London is calling on all London Councils to use their discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant to support businesses that have been forced to stay open as they were deemed essential during this period of lockdown.
FSB have taken dozens of calls from Dry Cleaning type businesses across the capital who have a presence across all of our high streets, have stayed open, and yet some are taking as little as £10 per day – and not receiving any financial support through Council Grants.
With many London Councils rolling out new Grants and giving deadlines for applications in the coming days and weeks ahead, we are calling for all 33 Boroughs to look at this anomaly and look to refresh their criteria as a matter of urgency.
Sarah King, Development Manager, of the FSB said, “Dry cleaning businesses are really hurting. Classified ‘essential’ during the latest lockdown has seen some already close down for good whilst others are teetering on the edge.
“Demand for launderette and dry cleaning type services has fallen sharply with many reliant on trade from  office workers, accommodation, tourism and hospitality sectors. High street footfall is virtually non-existent with one dry cleaning business describing income to be around £50 per week versus outgoings of £500-£600 per week which is not sustainable.
“It is vital that all London Borough Councils fully use the discretion available to them to ensure these ‘essential’ services and small businesses in the community can survive and be there to supply the other sectors which will be opening up again under the Government’s roadmap.”
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