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'Covid concerns still affecting retail, hospitality and lifestyle'

Chamber of Commerce surveyed members in several industries

Consumer concerns around Covid-19 are still affecting business in the retail, lifestyle and catering sectors.

That's according the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce who recently carried out a survey of 49 of its members in those industries.

The organisation says, according to many who responded to the survey, government announcements around Coronavirus deaths and cases were exacerbating fears among the general public.

Chamber CEO Rebecca George says businesses are also being affected by staff shortages.

56% of those who took part in the survey said they had full staffing levels.

Government has been offering businesses in retail, lifestyle and catering support through the Coronavirus Business Support Scheme.

However, over three quarters of companies in those areas who answered in the survey (77.5%) said they hadn't applied.

Of that figure, 65.3% said they didn't think they qualified and 30.7% said they weren't aware of the scheme.

Mrs George adds with many working from home again, Douglas businesses are experiencing more downward pressure and sales slumped between the end of June and July.

She adds they're only recovering in limited areas.

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