The co-owner of a popular bar and food venue in a popular Swansea suburb has made an emotional plea for support.
Maisies Streetfood and Bar is normally a popular destination in Uplands, an area once said to be poised to become the next Wind Street, thanks to its booming nightlife and cafe culture.
However, several lockdowns later and with a new Covid variant raging across Wales, there have been considerable drops in footfall, with the family-owned business arguing "its hard to see where our future is".
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Maisies was started three years ago by Georgia Herbert and it quickly established itself as a successful part of the growing Uplands community.
Supported by her father, the venue was a huge success with its brunch menu and sweet treats including crepes and waffles, and there were plans, before the pandemic, to build an extension to expand the kitchen space and provide outdoor seating.
But now, alongside their own challenges caused by the Omicron variant, the venue has pleaded for support from the community. Georgia, who is due to get married later this year, fears her business might not survive that long.
"We are just living day by day at the moment, we just don't have enough money coming in," said Georgia.
"We're struggling to see past February and March, with the expenses we put out, we aren't making enough and it's a huge worry for all of the family and my staff."
With her wedding plans set for July, Georgia worries what the future will hold for the bar and the stress this has caused her family.
"It's going to be difficult to look for work and have a wedding at the same time and at home we are all worried about it, but that is the situation we are in," added the 28-year-old.
Georgia believes an outdoor space could be key to their survival.
"We're the only place in Uplands not offering an outdoor seating area and in the current situation and climate that is vital, we need it to encourage more people into the business.
"I don't want my father to lose the money he's invested into the place, it's not so much of a concern if I lose work but if this place goes my main concern is my father - my main priority is ensuring my parents have a comfortable retirement and it's why we started Maisies"
"We reduced our hours to try and lower the expenses going out but with restrictions being eased, we're hopefully re-opening in the evenings to see what the situation is like."
With the Welsh government recently announcing a timetable of restrictions being eased in the country, the rule of six, table service and two metre physical distancing could no longer be required in hospitality by January 28.
Launching a new menu alongside adjustments being made to opening hours by the bar, Maisies believes the lasting damage of the new variant has left people cautious about dining out.
"Before the latest variant, we were doing really well and noticed a spike in the popularity of Maisies last year which was amazing, which then all changed. It just seems to have plummeted and has now got to the point where we can't see 2022, it all happened at the click of your fingers
"It is heartbreaking, we're trying everything to get people in and other venues are in similar situations where small venues have had to get even smaller and it really restricts the money coming in."
Steps are now being taken by Maisies to adjust back to dining as we once knew it without restrictions, but Georgia said the coming months were pivotal in deciding the future.
If you would like to support the bar's fundraiser to develop an outdoor seating arrangement, you can do so by clicking here.
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