Coronavirus: Economic effects spread across Horsham business community

Horsham International Hotel owner Peter Matheson said there was not much that people could do to support businesses like his without contradicting health advice on self isolation and social distancing.

"The accomodation side is seeing a massive drop in bookings," he said. "People are just not travelling and with the restaurant less people want to go out.

"Fortunately for us we are in a position where we will be able to support ourselves through the downturn but there's only so much others can do."

Di Bell, worker at clothing retailer Exquisit Horsham said supplies were being affected.

"In the fashion industry you do indents - orders six months ahead roughly, and so they come in after you've ordered them," she said. "We ordered stock to come in for this autumn and winter last September, but it isn't all coming..

"We got one order that only had 20 styles of the 45 that we ordered, because the majority comes from China and they have shut their factories. We got word the other day some factories have reopened, however there are not many workers and some of the workers are in other provinces and they aren't allowed to cross between other provinces."

Horsham Athlete's Foot director and franchisee Paul Atherton said the store was implementing higher hygiene control "to give customers confidence to shop in-store".

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