A yoga studio has staged an unusual protest over Covid-19 hardship support — by serving booze at their sessions.
Hot Lotus, in Stockport, claims they have done more than most to improve people's wellbeing during the pandemic.
And they have now taken the dramatic step to highlight what they say is an unfair gap in support for firms affected by the Omicron variant.
Although the government unveiled a support package for the hospitality and leisure sectors late last year, it excludes gyms and other businesses where physical exercise or training is conducted on an individual or group basis.
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That decision comes as a hammer blow for Hot Lotus, owner Heidi Sanderson told the Manchester Evening News .
“Before Omicron we were hugely affected by Covid anyway, in terms of numbers and confidence of people to exercise indoors,” she explained.
“So we were really relying on having a strong January. That is as important as December is for hospitality to us.”
The decision to not include yoga studios has cost Heidi up to £6,000 from this grant alone.
She also says that she feels her sector has been ‘overlooked’ because it does not ‘bring in the same money as hospitality’ — but also helps people’s wellbeing.
Heidi continued: “My business is doing a lot to improve people's mental health and support. We should have been supported more than any other sector.
“We don't bring in and that is why we are overlooked.
“There seems to be a mixed message over who is getting the grants. In Stockport pubs and restaurants and accommodation businesses are getting support.
“We are excluded.”
Heidi’s feelings prompted the 50-year-old to make the point that had her studio been a licensed premises, she would have been eligible for support.
Her protest involved handing out free alcohol to guests on Saturday (February 5), with yogis enjoying a tipple while doing the downward dog.
A spokesperson for the government said that other forms of support were available to sports firms — but it was offered at the discretion of the local authority.
A BEIS spokesperson said: “We have made extraordinary efforts to support livelihoods throughout the pandemic, with more than £100 million of additional discretionary funding being made available to help businesses that are not eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
“For the purposes of this scheme, the definition of a leisure business excludes gyms and sports businesses but other support is available, via local authorities.”
