Beautician set to reopen
One of Cork’s best known beauty therapists has promised to defy Government regulations and reopen her business.
Susan Ryan, owner of the Susan Ryan Beauty Salon and Clinic on South Main Street, has confirmed to the Cork Independent that she will reopen her doors in the near future.
“My gas, phone, electric, insurance and rent have been paid all year without any business income. Getting a small Covid payment, while welcome, is only a loan and will have to be paid back through my taxes. I can only speak up for myself and try to take a stand at what I now see is a lockdown that is very flawed,” said Ms Ryan.
Although she has not yet put an exact date on the reopening, she has already received huge support from the public and her loyal clients.
In a Facebook post this week, Ms Ryan asked if the Irish Government was “making it up as they go along?”.
She added that she would have all the necessary safety measurements in place for the reopening and said that her clients could make their own educated choices, saying “come or don’t come”.
Elsewhere, Diarmuid Vaughan, general manager of Cork Airport Hotel, has told the Cork Independent that the biggest challenge facing hotel owners once restrictions are lifted will be to attract people to come and work in the industry.
Mr Vaughan said the lack of clarity offered by the Government regarding the reopening of the hospitality sector will make it very difficult to engage existing and future employees.
His comments come following the Government’s decision on Tuesday to extend the current Level 5 lockdown until at least 5 April, with very little information offered to the hospitality sector as to when and how it will reopen.
Mr Vaughan said that his sector has become almost immune to frustration and a lack of clarity.
“We still don't know what reopening in mid-summer will give us. Will we be forced to do outdoor dining again? Will we be confined only to dining residents, which is a massive challenge,” he said.
Mr Vaughan closed the Cork Airport Hotel, which is a part of the Trigon Hotel group, on 16 March last year and it has not reopened since.
The group includes Cork Airport Hotel, The Metropole Hotel and Cork International Hotel.
Mr Vaughan said that he was able to redeploy many of his employees across the other two hotels in the group, but that a large number of his staff have gone almost a year without a day’s work.
Commenting on the financial supports in place, which have now been extended until 30 June, Mr Vaughan said it’s welcome “but it’s not enough”.
“Those supports are just keeping us on life support. We need advanced supports for reopening and adapting to restrictions,” he added.
Restaurant owners have also expressed extreme disappointment with the Government’s announcement with the Restaurants Association of Ireland labelling the vagueness of the announcement “unacceptable”.
Speaking after Tuesday’s announcement, Adrian Cummins CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said: “The sector has been closed almost a year now and has complied with restrictions and lockdowns preventing businesses and employees from being able to work and to earn a living. They are now tiring and running out of money and in need of sight of the end goal.”