Relief for struggling beautician as Covid grant arrives

A TYRONE beautician has spoken of her relief at finally getting approved for financial support from the government – almost seven weeks after first applying for the grant.

Kara Evans, who owns a nail salon based in Omagh Enterprise Centre, had applied for assistance under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme in the middle of October, soon after all close-contact services in the North were ordered to close again for an initial four-week period.

The mother-of-two was told it would take three weeks to process the application. However, she later received a further email informing her that the scheme had been delayed and it could take five weeks for a payment to be made to her.

Although she was allowed to re-open to customers on Friday, November 20, the already struggling businesswoman received another blow by having to close her doors once again a week later – still without having received a penny of the promised support.

At the time the two-week ‘circuit breaker’ was announced by the Stormont Executive, Kara admitted she was suffering sleepless nights due to anxiety caused by the pressures of trying to keep her business afloat.

But, with things looking increasingly bleak, last Tuesday the beautician contacted the Department of Finance once more to enquire about the progress of her application. To her surprise, within six hours, she got confirmation that her application had been accepted.

Even better, by the following day, Kara had received her first payment.

“It means I can pay my bills and keep a roof over my head as this was my biggest worry, to the point I was physically sick with anxiety. How I was going to pay my mortgage? Seven weeks with no income for anyone is extremely difficult, so receiving this has been a great help to support my business and my family,” she said.

And the nail salon owner received more good news last Thursday, when the Executive confirmed that close-contact services like her own business could re-open this Friday (December 11). Although still unsure what the New Year may bring, Kara said she was relieved to be completely booked up until December 23.

The beautician added, “I’m so grateful for the support from all my clients. I’ll be working late straight through until Christmas to get everyone sorted.”