THE OWNER of a beauty salon from Shipton Bellinger says that the coronavirus lockdown has cost her up to £2,000 so far.

Anna Nikola, owner of Simply Beauty, says that the current crisis could have repercussions on her industry for years to come.

The self-employed businesswoman is one of the five per cent of people unable to claim help from the government, because she does not have a full-year of tax returns, after returning from living abroad last year.

She is now being forced to live off just her husband’s salary, and whilst she has been given a mortgage break, is having to pay for food, car bills and insurance for her dormant business.

“This is going to change people’s perspectives on interactions and shaking people’s hands,” Anna told the Advertiser. “This isn’t going to go away at any time in the next few years.

“I haven’t got any income so I’ve been using my time wisely.”

She has been doing extra courses, volunteering and even creating videos for her clients, including one where she gave her husband a full set of eyelashes.

It comes as hairdressers and beauty therapists in the area are banding together to support each other to survive the lockdown.

Businesses across Tidworth, Shipton Bellinger and Amesbury have posted a collage photograph with the message: “We can’t wait to do your treatments again. Please stay home, please stay safe.”

It comes after news two weeks ago that a fifth of small and medium businesses could collapse within a month.

Anna decided herself to close her salon the day before the government regulations were announced, saying the the health of herself and her customers trumped any concerns for her business.

She will also be offering free treatments for NHS workers when her salon re-opens.