Fareham entrepreneur relies on credit cards to live after she slips through government funding net

When the first coronavirus lockdown started in March, many people had just started new businesses – or set one up during lockdown itself.

But government guidelines, which stated people must have run their business since 2018/19, meant a number of people were not eligible to apply for grants, and thus slipped through the funding net.

Now, with non-essential businesses set to close once again, these self-employed bosses are fearing the worst.

Claire White, 38, runs the Sweet Peas play cafe in West Street, Fareham, which serves as a play area for children and a cafe for their parents.

Due to lockdown restrictions it was one of the last types of businesses to reopen, meaning Claire was dependent on credit cards to keep a roof over her head.

She said: ‘Unlike people who were furloughed or had long-standing businesses, I haven’t received a single penny in income from the government.

‘I received the £10,000 business grant at the beginning of lockdown, but that all went towards rent and bills.

‘To keep a roof over my head I’ve been relying on credit cards – it's no way to live but I literally have no other option.’

On Saturday night, prime minister Boris Johnson announced that a second lockdown will be starting on Thursday, November 5, running until December 2.

Claire fears that if self-employed people are not properly supported this time around, it could spell disaster for countless entrepreneurs.

She said: ‘The building is on a lease, so even if the company went under I would still have rent and bills to pay.

‘It genuinely feels like the government has abandoned me – and I just know there are so many other people in the same situation.

‘People don’t realise that there are so many entrepreneurs who are struggling like this; they think the government has catered for everyone and that simply is not the case.’

Claire hopes to run some form of takeaway or deliver operation from her cafe, but concedes that it could be a long road for her business.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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