My Strategy For Surviving Coronavirus

By Karen Hunt of Aqualush, who has run her business for four years and runs a water, aquatics and reptile centre in Swindon.

When did you realise the Coronavirus could be a problem for you and your business? 

When the government started to announce loan deals, reduced rates and payment of SSP I started to get concerned about my business and just how much it may affect me. If I can’t pay the rent because customers don’t come in then I go bust, simple.

I await to see in the next few weeks if the business drops off and then reassess at that point. We are in uted territory so it’s very hard to tell just how badly this will affect businesses.

I more concerned that we will be able to come into the shop to look after the fish and reptiles, it is essential!

What has been your plan to continue? 

• Keep staff up to date.
• Don’t panic buy and don’t encourage it.
• Plan for the worst (no customers) and hope for the best.

What advice would you give to others in business? 

As above and don’t allow customers to buy more than they need.

Ensure utmost cleanliness, sanitising equipment, card machines and door handles etc. Keep gloves on hand for use at the till and wash your hands throughly after handling anything.

What can we do to help each other?

Support local businesses and use the ‘new’ services that might be available, online shopping, drop at the door, pay over the phone etc.

Help your neighbours and the vulnerable groups and STOP panic buying in the shops for food and essentials we all need!

What do you think can be learned from this in the business world?

Be better prepared and have real risk analysis in place for something like this happening again and ensure assessments are realistic and relevant for your business and customers. No use offering online delivery if you don’t have a website shop.

For more information visit http://www.aqua-lush.co.uk