Turnover down?

"We have experienced a massive decrease in turnover, not just in the past two weeks but the past two months. A lack of bookings, late cancellations and no-shows are rife in the health and beauty industry. February is looking even worse and the foreseeable future, too. Many in the industry are facing either putting up prices or begging at food banks. Yet the government still think the beauty industry is a hobby not a job and have still not offered any support to the majority of self-employed people working in it. It's like they have lost sight of the important issues here in the UK because the press is dominated by stories of birthday parties."

"January has been a poor month and it's always such a long one. However, we have taken advance orders for February's training, which is reassuring. We have also been able to restart the training that was so patchy last autumn, with people having to postpone at the last minute and change tutorial dates. Hopefully we can proceed now with full classes and get the next generation of massage therapists properly trained."

"In the current climate, the fact that a third of companies have seen turnover decrease doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I can see things improving in February but I think we need to be realistic about how slow growth will be over the coming months. Expect to see more companies using temporary staff and contractor support, which offers greater flexibility. Companies on the whole will be less willing to take risks, and will be putting contingency plans in place for when, not 'if', employees are unwell."

"We've seen orders fall by 20% this month due to businesses taking much longer than usual to make decisions. There's no doubt that many companies are being protective of cash while the economy is so uncertain. The hope is that a calming of the restrictions will allow businesses to get back in their stride."

"We have noticed more small businesses coming to us to raise finance just to get through the winter. January is a traditionally quiet month with lots of people skint after Christmas, however December was a total write-off for many sectors and this has fed through into January. The hospitality sector in particular is in for a few tough months before trade picks up in Spring and Summer. SMEs need assurances that restrictions are now a thing of the past once and for all."

"January is always a busy month in the housing industry. With lots of people wanting to get out looking for a new home. Mortgage enquiries have been up this month compared to previous Januaries for sure. We may be one of the only industries not seeing the downturn."

"We've seen slower than expected mortgage demand so far this year. Uncertainty over the cost of living and Omicron have almost certainly played a role but also a lot of house transactions were brought forward last year, thanks to the Chancellor's stamp duty holiday. We expect the market to pick up in early spring."

"In today's uncertain climate it is perhaps no surprise that for a significant number of businesses, turnover is down. The effects of partygate, the Russian threat to Ukraine which threatens to pull in Nato, and the increase in inflation and interest rates all serve to unsettle business and slow the post-Covid recovery. Our experience has been that some hesitance in committing to new expenditure has returned, probably to mid-Covid levels. We can get through this, but it does require the Government to inspire confidence, and that means bringing the distraction of Partygate to an end. Should Boris stay or go? I don't have strong feelings either way, what I do have strong feelings about is having the brains of Government focus on the economy and defence of the Nation rather than whether today's canapes up to scratch."

"We have been pretty fortunate, there seems to be no let up in people wanting to buy new homes or take advantage to the lower rates that are available to them. However there is still a lack of property available which is causing issues with property prices becoming inflated and pushing those first-time buyers and people on low income into the never ending rental loop."

"Business is up for us but only because we transferred everything online during the pandemic so we don't have the issues that hospitality and retail may have had. But it has taken a huge amount of blood, sweat, tears and nearly losing the business to get to this point."