Business owners fear the Omicron Covid variant could prove to be a fatal blow for companies around Greater Manchester still recovering from the pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ramped up his rhetoric around the new strain of coronavirus this week, urging all adults in the country to get a booster jab before New Year.
He warned a 'tidal wave' of infections is on its way with the variant thought to spread much more quickly than previous strains.
READ MORE: The neighbourhoods with the highest and lowest infection rates in Manchester
Early scientific studies suggest Omicron is giving people a milder illness and that the booster jab will prove effective.
But, government advice for people to work from home and take caution over festive gatherings has come just as many businesses were hoping to recover lost earnings in the busy festive period.
Ismail Kocak runs tailors Fix2Fit on Bridge Street in Manchester city centre.
His business has historically relied heavily on the footfall of white collar workers in the Deansgate area such as lawyers and accountants.
He said things had been 'picking up' in recent weeks but the Omicron news comes just as people were having clothes fitted for Christmas and New Year parties.
"Now Boris is saying work from home... what about people like us?" asked Ismail.
"It doesn't make sense - you can walk into a bar or a restaurant and they're all crowded.
"Yet they're telling people to work from home."
"This is not a job you can do from home - you can't measure a person from home.
"I told all my guys to come back in April - I brought everyone back in.
"We're still paying the rent here and it's not cheap. We've been paying it since lockdown."
Fix2Fit has been on Bridge Street for 11 years and Ismail says his loyal customers have been returning.
But the pandemic is pushing businesses like his to the limit.
'Some customers are scared, some aren't'
Saeed Patel runs a newsgent near Market Street.
He said business has been a lot better in recent weeks since Manchester's Christmas Markets returned.
But he fears what happens in the New Year.
"Friday, Saturday and Sunday is busy," he said. "Monday to Thursday it's quiet, especially in the morning.
"I think some people are scared, some aren't, it depends on the customer. It's been better but I'm not sure what will happen after Christmas."
Robert Downes from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says his members in the hospitality industry are already being hit by an 'avalanche of cancellations.'
"It's going to affect businesses," he said.
"We had already been hearing that Christmas dos weren't being booked in the first place like they would have been in years gone by.
"Things were down anyway and it's a big part of trade for restaurants and pubs.
"I spoke to two places last week that had big events cancelled - tables of 30 gone after the Prime Minister spoke.
"And no doubt we'll see a lot more today.
"The worry is we're approaching Christmas week where a lot of people would traditionally go out with friends and family and we're going to have a much more muted affair.
"October, November and December is usually where these businesses would make their big profits to get them through the long cold winter months in January and February when no one's going out.
"This is the second Christmas like this businesses have had - and last year was a disaster in Greater Manchester because we had more lockdowns than elsewhere.
"Businesses were just looking forward to a good trading period."
'I think the younger crowd will carry on going out until they can't'
There had been suggestions that Manchester city centre was experiencing a boom in visitors, particularly around the weekend with both Christmas shoppers and revellers on nights out.
With the government yet to confirm any further restrictions, Robert speculated that perhaps punters will look to continue going out while they still can.
And he called for renewed financial support for those businesses hardest hit.
"I think maybe the younger crowd will carry on going out until they they can't," he said.
"Restaurants will suffer though - older people aren't going to go out. What we really need is some financial support from the Government and we need the them to give people the confidence to go back out.
"Last year there was support to make it though to combat the lack of trade. At the minute they're saying they're not putting any more support in place - I think they need to be careful.
"Working from home advice has hit the daytime economy.
"We thought it would be New Year before we'd see offices get back - I think that's been put right back down the road.
"The government is putting it on the public to make that decision to go to the pub or to have a party and that creates uncertainty - and that's the worst thing for businesses."
'Venues have already suffered a battering for 18 months'
Chris Fletcher from the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce echoed those thoughts.
"Obviously there is some very concerning news emerging about the Omicron variant today as the next stage of Plan B comes into effect with staff asked to work at home where possible," he said.
"Many businesses where they can seem to have continued with a hybrid type working model with a mix of office-based and home-based days, so in theory this should be manageable but may cause some disruption."
"Of greater concern and impact may well be the requirement from Wednesday for venues to ask for proof of vaccinations, a negative covid test or an exemption.
"This will undoubtedly have a negative effect on footfall at a vital time of the year for hospitality venues already suffering from the battering they’ve had over the last 18 months.
"This, coupled with the reduced footfall created by office closures and many people classed as ‘passing traffic’ now working from home, could really be a final straw for some. We are already hearing and seeing events and bookings cancelled and the impact this causes will be significant.
"It’s important that public health is protected but the lack of any definitive timings on when restrictions will be reviewed coupled with the lack of financial support that was available during similar, previous restrictions means a very uncertain festive period for many."
