BUSINESS owners have told how they have “lost almost everything” after Covid-19 hit.

As new figures reveal how Southend and Basildon have seen one of the sharpest spikes in unemployment in the East of England, company bosses have spoken of their battle to survive the ongoing pandemic.

Rachel Myers, a self-employed lash technician, was forced to move in with her mum after struggling to pay bills.

She was not eligible for the self-employed grant offered by the Government which pays self-employed people up to 70 per cent of wages in a lump sum, for three months.

The 25-year-old, from Shoebury, said: “I’ve nearly lost everything because of the pandemic and had to move back into my mum’s as I couldn’t afford to pay my bills.

“I didn’t qualify for help through the self-employment support scheme and so I had to apply for universal credit which was a lengthy process.

“I rely solely on the money I get from clients and before the pandemic I saw about ten clients a day.

“I am hoping now the Government is re-opening the beauty industry next month I will be able to get back on my feet.”

The number of people seeking benefits in south Essex has more than doubled since the UK went into lockdown, with unemployment in south Essex hitting a 27-year high.

The Office for National Statistics data shows 9,020 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in Southend as of May 14 - compared to just 4,425 in early March.

The share of the population signing on rose from four per cent to 8.1 per cent – the biggest jumps are in the east of England, where the claimant rate rose from 2.4 per cent to 5.7 per cent.

Aden Hayes’ sculptures firm, Sculpture Studios, has been on the brink of collapse since the pandemic began.

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Crisis - Aden Hayes

Some of his biggest customers are within the theatre industry which will remain closed until next year.

Mr Hayes, who lives in Basildon, said: “The fact the crisis is global is what has made things so hard. If it was just here, I could easily get clients abroad.

“My business was one of first to close and will be one of last to re-open. But in the last couple of weeks, the phone has been ringing and I’m starting to get quotes for bits and pieces.”

“I’ve been coming up with some ideas and putting the feelers out but all of this takes time, it’s not something that can be done overnight.”