THE owner of a Wirral company providing music therapy in care homes says business is 'virtually wiped out' because of concerns over the Coronavirus outbreak.

Louise Granton, who owns Kiddleydivey Merseyside, says care home bosses have cancelled all 'entertainment' and outside visitors due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the need for increased social distancing across the country as part of measures to halt the spread of coronavirus.

It has lead to the cancellation of events, such as those by Louise's firm, at care homes in Wirral, Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley.

Louise told the Globe today: "Whilst I understand the need for care homes to have the welfare of their residents as their key factor in decision making, this does leave many of us in a devastating situation with regard to income with many of us with zero income for the forseeable future.

"This is going to have a knock-on effect for other contractors who may be called to the homes from time to time.

"I'm going to miss going to the care homes; to me it's more than just a job.

"I've made a lot of friends too. I'll be back once the current crisis is over.

"We are in a situation I, and thousands of others, have never experienced before."

Calling for more Government support, Louise continued: "I am asking the government whether there will be any consideration of us small, self-employed businesses who are provided vital and essential role in the welfare of those with Dementia, the vulnerable older population in care homes and community settings who through no fault of their own have now had our business taken away from us.

"I know how much the residents enjoy musical therapy and enjoy all entertainers visits it literally makes their day but there is an epidemic and they need to be cocooned and rightly so.

"But there is nothing in place of people like me to help Universal Credit would take six weeks to be put into place. 

"In the meantime, I have two young children to feed and bills to pay I am more than sure that debtors and mortgage companies will still want paying.

"I thought it was important to be pointed out locally and nationally because small sole traders seems to have been overlooked!"

How are concerns over Coronavirus affecting your business? Email: craig.manning@nqnw.co.uk