More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Ramsgate hairdresser says time is fast running out for his small business as he still does not know whether he will be able to access crucial funds.
Marcello Marino has phoned his bank, HSBC, repeatedly to discuss a loan but says he is placed on hold every time.
On one occasion he said he was told they would call him back in five days.
"It is just unbelievable and sad," he said. "They say they are going to phone back and we just hear nothing."
The salon has been running for 30 years but Marcello believes it will not survive the impact of Covid-19 without additional funds.
This is despite an announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak that small businesses would be able to discuss Coronavirus Business Interruption loans (CBILS) with 40 lenders across the UK.
A month later, Marcello says the government is still not doing enough to ensure owners know how to access those funds.
He said: "What annoys me is the Government says it will do whatever it takes to support small businesses, but it doesn't look like it."
The stylist adds many people are not tech-savvy or fall through the cracks when it comes to eligibility.
Another form of relief on offer is the Small Business Grant Fund, which offers up to £10,000 as a one-off payment, to be administered by local authorities.
Marcello was optimistic at the prospect of securing such funds after discussing it with his local MP for South Thanet, Craig Mackinlay, who he described as "very helpful".
But when the letter he was told would come in the post never arrived he resorted again to calling the banks.
It comes as the British Chamber of Commerce announced last week just 1% had accessed interruption loans, with 8% proving unsuccessful.
The most common reason cited was the complexity of the application process and a slow or lack of response from the bank or provider.
In terms of accessing grants, small businesses did not fare much better with 7% currently using grants but 14% being turned down, mostly due to eligibility.
HSBC says it is working as quickly as possible to get through to people and has a dedicated Covid support line on 08000 121 614.
The banking provider says its relationship managers have been proactively contacting customers to see what help their businesses need.
It adds it has just launched an online portal to assist with this.
In the meantime, Marcello has been keeping himself busy delivering food items by car to some of his elderly clients.
He has since been contacted by his accountant, who was able to submit an application online for a loan on his behalf.
But with his wife losing her job as restaurant supervisor after she was told furloughing was not an option, the salon owner faces a nervous wait to see if he will be successful.
