Daily updates on the coronavirus death toll have become a depressingly familiar experience for people across East Renfrewshire and beyond in recent times.

Behind every statistic delivered by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is a family left devastated by the loss of a loved one.

What is harder to quantify, however, is the damage being done to businesses by the Covid-19 outbreak.

All types of companies, of varying sizes, are unable to operate due to the ongoing lockdown.

Stroll through Barrhead town centre and you can quickly lose count of the number of businesses – covering everything from pubs to hair salons – that have had to close their doors.

Some will qualify for support from the government through the likes of the Small Business Grants Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Others face an uncertain future, left to play a waiting game as they hope the current restrictions will be lifted sooner rather than later.

The Barrhead News has spoken to a number of local traders to get their take on the coronavirus crisis.

Karen Moore, who runs Kelburn Brewing Company, admits these are “scary” times for businesses as the coronavirus lockdown takes its toll.

Her firm has had to temporarily cease trading and place staff on furlough after pubs and off-licences across the country were ordered to shut their doors.

Karen, who bought Kelburn Brewing Company from her father a few years ago after he decided to retire, said: “When the pubs stopped ordering from us and then the off-sales, we took the decision to close.

“There are eight staff working for us and some are part-time. I’ve furloughed everyone.

“It’s a bit scary. I hope the pubs can go back to normal as soon as possible and then we’ll get back to supplying them.”

Karen, 41, said the biggest problem her business faced before the Covid-19 outbreak was dealing with all the new breweries in the market.

“When we first started in 2001, we were one of about 30 breweries operating in Scotland,” she added. “Nowadays, there are more than 150.

“Our customers who would contact us once a week looking for more beer started to get in touch every three weeks because they want to try out different ales from other companies.”

It has also been a testing time for the owners of an East Renfrewshire horticultural firm, who fear their business could be wiped out by the coronavirus lockdown.

McLaren’s Nurseries – a third-generation family business established in 1973 – is now said to be “very close” to closure.

It is among a host of firms within the growers industry facing an uncertain future, with just weeks left in the key Spring trading season.

Andrew McGowan, general manager of McLaren’s Nurseries, based in Uplawmoor, said: “Despite the next three months being our key trading period for the whole year, we are anticipating a minimum 50 per cent drop in annual turnover.

“We have already had to bin half of our bedding plant stock and been forced to pay off 19 members of staff.

“At this point, we have just five employees trying to keep on top of our 50-acre plot.

“We are very close to having to close the doors and assistance is needed urgently.”

Meanwhile, a Barrhead businessman is offering to help others with the “soul” of their work during the global pandemic.

Marc Johnson moved to the town three years ago and had just started up his own firm a few months before the country went into lockdown.

With a background in the creative industry, he had launched Soul – a design, marketing and advertising agency.

Now faced by the prospect of months without work, he wants to help others maintain a relationship with their customers.

He told the Barrhead News: “I am offering free advice.

“Each company has a story, so it’s important that I listen to that and give advice based around what the business does and how they make a contribution to their customers.”

Marc said some key advice for business owners is to remain positive, however difficult that might be in the current circumstances.

“We’re all in this together,” he added. “Connect with your customers and show them that you are vulnerable too.

“Look at what you have access to, whether that be social media, email, live video etc, and use this as your tool of communication.

“Create a strategy – this will pass and, when it does, your efforts to help your customers and community will remain with them for a long time.”

More information on the support being offered by Marc can be found online at www.visitsoul.co.uk.

East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce (ERCC) has also been supporting local businesses during the lockdown, with help from modern technology.

Chamber members are able to take part in online meetings using Zoom software.

Laura Molloy, ERCC president, said: “We intend to host a regular Zoom meeting for the duration of the coronavirus restrictions.

“We want to ensure members are aware of the support measures in place, while gathering specific issues to feed into Scottish Chambers who are in direct dialogue with the Scottish Government on a daily basis, to feedback on gaps in provision.

“This will give members a chance to listen to the experience of others and provide some collective support during this very difficult time.”

There is also up-to-date information on the support available to local businesses at www.eastrenchamber.org.uk/summary-of-covid-19-scottish-government-business-support-measures.

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