Nearly a quarter of business owners (23%) will not buy any Christmas gifts for their family and friends this year as the pandemic takes its toll on plans across the UK. 

Christmas and working hours

The research [1], undertaken by one of Europe’s largest small business lenders, iwoca, also found that of the business owners who are parents, over a third (35%) will not buy presents “at the same level as pre-pandemic” for their children this year. As for working hours, whilst many across the UK will have some time off over Christmas, small business owners are having to work overtime, with research revealing that 1 in 6 will work on Christmas Day this year (16%), and 1 in 3 on Boxing Day (31%). Even for business owners who are parents, 1 in 10 will work all five days over the holiday period – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Nearly half of female business owners concerned they will close business in 2021 

Research suggests that female business owners may be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, as nearly half (47%) worry they’ll have to close their businesses in 2021, compared to just over a third (35%) of men. 

The holiday period could also be tougher for female-led businesses. iwoca’s research shows that they plan on working more hours and spending less time with their families this year to compensate for the adverse effects of Covid-19 on their businesses. Just under a third (32%) of women are planning to work extra hours compared to a quarter of male business owners. Christmas is usually a time when families can come together, however 41% of female business owners report they’ll spend less time with their families this Christmas to focus on their businesses, with a similar percentage (39%) of male business owners feeling the same. 

Daiga Ozolniece, owner of Birmingham based beauty salon – Adelaine Beauty Ltd: “We don't know how we’re going to survive. It’s very possible we’ll have to close down in January. It all depends on the Christmas period. My family will spend this Christmas without me. I’ll be sitting in my salon until the last minute, waiting for clients. I’ll work on Christmas Day, Boxing Day – every day. Every penny counts. There are no presents this year - none at all. We’re barely coping with the bills.

“It's a hard time for everybody now, but it’s especially tough for beauticians. People aren’t going out anymore so they don’t go and get their lashes or nails done. Walk-in clients are not allowed under the government rules, but the beauty industry relies on them. Supermarkets are busy because people can just walk in – my salon is empty because you need to book. The rules are not equal. Beauticians are having to go and work in factories because they can't survive - it’s that bad.” 

Seema Desai, Chief Operating Officer of iwoca, added: “Christmas itself will of course be different for all of us, but it’s even more concerning that so many business owners are worried that they may not have a business to go back to in 2021. Christmas won't be an easy time for many business owners this year as they juggle to keep their businesses afloat whilst some will try to spend quality time with their families or loved ones.”  

iwoca has now distributed over £160 million through the Government's Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and in June launched iwocaPay an online buy now pay later invoice checkout to help small businesses get paid on time.

[1] 619 small business owners were surveyed between 30/11/20 - 03/12/20