Anyone else lost their business due to the pandemic?

[SausageSimon]

I am feeling so low, I started a small business early last year and despite some government help (which wasn't as much as others received for various reasons) I have made the decision to close my business and sell up. I feel terrible for my staff and I just feel lost

Is anyone else in the same position?

I can't believe how this year has gone

Sorry to hear that. I'm lucky not to be in your situation, but I'm so fed up of people with the mantra that we all need to stay home, save lives, blah blah, whilst not acknowledging the tremendous effects elsewhere in society.

Thank you for your message @DuesToTheDirt it means a lot. I know it sounds silly but I feel almost embarrassed it has happened, even though I know I would never think bad of anyone else in the same situation. God knows what my life will be like!

Not “lost” yet, but badly dented. I missed out on the SEISS scheme too. At some point I will have to make a decision, but I want a bit more time to watch, see, think.

DH is furloughed and we haven’t been getting on optimally during lockdown. It’s a lot.

I’ve been doing a few different things during lockdown that have given me ideas for possible changes of direction but to do any of them would entail a whopping pay cut. Difficult decisions.

Do you have any ideas for what to do next yourself?

Don't be embarrassed, it's not your fault...there are lots of us small businesses struggling at the moment, some will hang on, some will have to change shape entirely and sadly some will just not survive.

You've had to make the tough decision to sell up - but even making that shows you know what you are doing; understandably at the moment all you can see is what you've lost, but at some point in the future there will be other opportunities and you'll be ready for them.

Be kind to yourself

You have my sympathy OP
Don't be embarrassed about what has happened
You could hardly be expected to be ready for what has happened
I hope you can start again and wish you all the best for the future x

Sorry to hear this, it’s heartbreaking.

I haven’t lost my business but I have lost my job