MULTIPLE business owners across Worcester have said they are at risk of closing down for good if they are not allowed to re-open soon.

Although pubs, hairdressers, hotels and restaurants will be re-opening on July 4, it is not yet known when other ‘close contact services’ such as nail bars and tattoo studios can start trading again.

Worcester Tattoo Studio owner Kryss Halloween said the small family run business is in danger of having to close its doors for good.

He said: “We certainly don’t begrudge other businesses reopening and the economy starting to recover, far from it. But as a family run close-knit business there is only a finite amount of time we can stay closed without information on when we can reopen.

“We really hope the government will reconsider their decision for us to reopen on the 4th or at least give us more guidance, support and information about reopening.”

Lee Hung Tuan who owns D&D nails in St John’s, Worcester also fears his business will go bust, with no light at the end of the tunnel yet.

The salon owner says that if he is forced to stay closed for much longer the business could be forced to shut for good.

He added: “I was ready to open up, but now we don’t know when we can. My business will definitely suffer as a result. I am very upset.”

PerfecTan in Lowesmoor told customers they would be back on July 4 but following the government announcement they have had to remain closed.

The salon said: “We are extremely disappointed and disheartened to hear the latest announcement from Boris.”

City councillor Richard Udall, who represents St John’s, has called upon Worcester MP Robin Walker to step in to support the beauty industry.

Cllr Udall said: “St John’s has a number of nail bars and beauty salons, many had invested good money into preparing to re-open, ensuring they had PPE available and social distancing would remain. Not to include them is an unjustified decision. Hairdressers are rightly being allowed to trade but not nail bars and beauty salons; I simply don’t understand the logic. I have seen Facebook posts from heartbroken business owners, who have had to once again cancel all their bookings and to apologise to their customers.”

Mr Walker did not respond to our request for a comment before our deadline.