Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
Many Britons say they will feel uncomfortable going to newly reopened small business once lockdown is lifted.
Gyms, pubs and bars and beauty salons can expect customers to keep staying away, with over 60 per cent of customers saying they would still avoid them.
There is better news for garden centres with 70 per cent of Britons saying they would be happy to return once they are reopened, according to a YouGov survey for BBC Newsnight.
>See also: Half a million small businesses in financial distress
Clothing stores and hairdressers will also bounce back fairly strongly, with 48 per cent of people saying they would feel comfortable returning.
Public anxiety about going back into gyms, bars and restaurants will deflate small business owners hoping that the easing of lockdown restrictions will help kickstart the economy.
How comfortable would you feel visiting these businesses post-lockdown?

 Comfortable (%)Uncomfortable (%)Don’t know (%)

Garden centres70256

Hairdressers/barbers48466

Clothing stores48466

Restaurants 37576

Coffee shops36586

Pubs and bars32635

Beauty and nail salons32608

Gyms30627

Source: YouGov

“For some businesses, particularly those which involve closer contact, or those whose clientele lean towards women or the old, simply reopening the doors again may not be enough to see customers flood back,” said Chris Curtis, political research manager at YouGov.
Women stay

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