BOSSES at a popular Bolton beauty firm say they could be forced to shut permanently if close-contact facial treatments aren’t allowed to resume across the borough.

Sayna Narbandh, who runs Sayna’s Brow Bar, was forced to close her business just a few hours after she reopened on Wednesday, September 2, when a U-turn on easing lockdown restrictions was announced.

After six months without work, the latest knockback has devastated Mrs Narbandh, who has been forced to consider shutting up shop.

She said: “It’s been a very difficult time for me. I've already had six months with no income and we still have expenses we have to pay.

“I’m really struggling, I hope we’re going to reopen soon – my husband and I were thinking about closing the business. I don’t want to close but without money how are we going to pay the rent?

“We can’t live like this, we’re just waiting to open. It’s not fair when so many other businesses are open.”

The shop reopened to customers at 9.30am last Wednesday, when restrictions were set to be eased across the borough to allow close-contact services to resume. Shortly after 12pm, the government announced that restrictions would continue to be in effect in the town, forcing Mrs Narbandh to close once again.

The beautician is desperate to reopen soon, but fears that a dip in trade seen by other services could mean it’s too little too late.

She added: “Hairdressers and barbers aren’t running the same as before, I’ve heard from a few people I know that trade is down now. I think for everyone it’s quite difficult but for me it’s really hard. I do hard work and I know the virus is getting worse now but it’s not because of our businesses spreading it.

“We (the beauty industry) are seeing clients one by one and cleaning everything. The big crowds and people queueing up for things is what’s more likely to spread the virus – just let us open.

“The government is offering 50 per cent off food at restaurants but at least they can open, we’re struggling and we can’t. If they don’t want to help that’s ok, just give me permission to open – that’s what I want, it’s better I earn my own money.”

Facial treatments, casinos, and bowling alleys are currently not allowed to open in Bolton.