We all know what is going on in the world. COVID-19 has ravaged our lives and turned everything we know as normal upside down. As we get ready to shut down the country for the next few weeks, maybe even the next few months, uncertain times are ahead.

4.93 million people are self-employed in the UK, making up 15% of the workforce. Over 3 million people are employed in the hospitality sector. Right now these two groups of people are facing huge pay cuts, reduced hours, zero-hour contracts and layoffs.

Everyone from those who work at our favourite restaurants, bars, our beauty therapists, hairdressers- every independent business, family owned businesses and the self-employed are facing an uncertain future.

So how can you help the local businesses that you love?

Shop local: The big supermarkets aren’t the only place you can do your shop. Even in self isolation, you’re allowed to leave your home to stock up on food and basic necessities. The big chains can take the hit, they have definitely been one of the businesses who haven’t suffered with people clearing the shelves. Look around for local independent grocers, butchers and bakers. Many are even offering local delivery.

Order in: Restaurants are closing their doors to sit down customers, but that doesn’t mean they are stopping making delicious food. Delivery services like Just Eat and Uber delivery are still up and running, and many restaurants are arranging their service own delivery services. Follow your favourite places on social media and have at-home date nights, chilled out evenings and treat nights.

Buy vouchers: to the places you are planning on going to once this is all over. As soon as self isolation is over, I am planning on heading into Manchester city centre to have my monthly ritual of gel nails, eyebrow wax and dye and maybe a facial. I would be buying these services anyway this month, so if it means I can help to ensure my ladies at Preened and Polished are still there when I need them, then buying a voucher now to cover those costs in the future is worth it.

It isn’t just beauty that you can buy vouchers for either! Restaurants and other interactive experiences are also offering vouchers to help tide them over until they can open their doors again (and buying those vouchers could be the difference between them opening again or not).

Cocoa Cabana, Chocolatiers and cocktail bar in Manchester are offering vouchers with 25% off. Being in social isolation I am going to owe my mum a mothers day present too, so this will allow me to support their business and have mothers day sorted!

We will all be in need of a date night whether it’s with our girls or our partners once we can fling open our front doors and stand next to strangers again! The Wilderness Restaurant in Birmingham has started a crowdfunding link rather than a typical voucher scheme and I am all for it! It is my Boyfriends 30th Birthday in April, so an experience like wine tasting or a lunch tasting menu sounds like the perfect birthday treat. If you need to buy a birthday present over the next month, please considering buying a voucher too!

Go online: So many events companies (including City Girl Network!) are moving their events online. From personal training, yoga, Pilates, meditation, art classes, book clubs- there are so many different ways you can still interact with your clubs and classes. Online platforms such as Facebook Live. IGTV, Zoom, Skype are there to be used! If you have a class that could be moved online, suggest doing it rather than cancelling.

Consider donating: Events are being cancelled everywhere, and places like your local theatre are going to struggle with refunding tickets while still covering their costs while they are unable to open. If you have a ticket to a show that has been cancelled and you are financially able to, please consider not asking for a refund and instead, donate the money to the theatre. It is so important that these venues are still there for us to enjoy once this is over.

Any other ideas that you have, please share in the comments here! Thank you to everyone offering their support and time to those who need the help in your cities Facebook group. It is humbling, heartwarming and amazing to see our community come together in this time of stress and anxiety and makes me SO proud to be a City Girl.

Written by Rachael Mole

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