South Belfast businesses in the university area have shared the "knock-on" impact that the return to remote classes for students has had on local trade.
In December, Queen's University Belfast announced a move back to remote learning for most students due to the "developing public health situation" with the transmission of the Omicron variant.
Students were told that "the majority of lectures, tutorials and seminars will be delivered online" in the new year however on Tuesday, they were told the university would "transition back to in-person teaching" by January 31.
While they will be permitted back on campus, many lectures and tutorials for some courses will continue to be delivered online.
Paul Murray, owner of Books Paper Scissors on Stranmillis, explained that footfall in the area has not only fallen from the students who have not returned to the city after Christmas but also from the university staff who are currently working from home.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Paul said: "It's not just the students, it's primarily the staff of the university who would come in and maybe have more disposable income for a business like us and the fact they are now working from home, any impulse purchases have gone out the door.
"It's really only at the weekends are we seeing the same footfall - it's just the sheer lack of bodies that are around the Queen's Quarter.
"I think it is really important that we begin to learn how to live with this virus. Most people have had their triple vaccinations and the hospital figured didn't reach the feared levels, thank goodness, and I think it's time to start 2022 with a much more positive outlook."
Despite the reputation often associated with students in the area, their economic impact on surrounding businesses will be hugely missed, Paul said.
"I think these days, that the students appear to be incredibly diligent and the subject matters studied near us of Engineering, Science, Phycology, they are so determined and usually at this time on a Monday morning, I would see students rushing to lectures.
"There are lots of them and then there is the staff. Another side of it is the atmosphere - it's the life, it's the energy that goes with the students that is missing.
"Even around the front of Queens, that's what is missing."
Neil Bickerstaff is the owner of Skinny Isaac's Barbers on Botanic Avenue and would usually have great custom from the students living and working in the area over the nine years they have been there.
"We have two guys that have just finished their training that are really struggling at the moment because there is just no one about Botanic - they are getting very little work compared to what it was like before.
"In the build-up to Christmas, everything was up and running again but after they imposed the different rules for hospitality and university, it didn't affect us directly as we didn't have to do anything differently but because of the remote learning, Botanic Avenue is like a ghost town during the day.
"It's one of those places that almost has its own wee community within Belfast and there is usually a wee bit of hustle and bustle about it but it's dead and it's being felt by businesses all around."
He continued: "It's obviously a knock-on effect everywhere. In worst-case scenarios, we are going to see businesses having to close if things don't pick up because the rates are coming back into play here in March and that will be another big bill to pay.
"Our key demographic is students as were in the heart of the student area of Belfast and a lot of businesses in the likes of Stranmillis and Botanic will still have to find their rates money whenever the footfall is not there anymore."
Neil explained how he feels sorry for the students who are unable to experience typical university life and the constant changing of restrictions leaving them unsure of what to anticipate from their studies next.
"We've only really got four months of the university year with the way the terms go and then we lose them again when they all go back home for the summer," he added.
"It is what it is and we are going to have to just keep trying to make the most of what we've got and get on with it I suppose."
