The Red Lion in Islington, central London, is a small independent theater and bar. The family-run business told CGTN Europe how - despite some government help - it's struggling.
The UK finance minister Rishi Sunak has pledged an extra $550 million for the culture and arts sector, but the Divine family that runs the Red Lion says the uncertainty of the return of business means it might not be enough.
"I don't know the criteria around that," owner Damien Divine told CGTN. While he agreed the government schemes had arguably saved businesses over 2020, he has doubts over how they can continue to help – especially as uncertainty continues.
"They're in catch-up mode. I mean, the recovery grants were generous. I can't argue with that. I think the core of the problem is the self-employed nature of it all."
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Divine's daughter Mary also works at the Red Lion, and hopes to continue the business – but said the "unknown of the summer" is making planning hard.
"As much as the government is saying 'You can open your doors,' we have no idea what environment we're opening our doors into. People might not feel comfortable rushing back. And that's what the uncertainty is.
"We don't know even the social distancing regulations that we're opening into, so we can't prepare for that," she continued. "We have no idea how many people we can sit in the theater or anything like that. So that's what's worrying, is the unknown of the summer."
For the Divines, it's more than just a theater and a pub, it's a family hub. /CGTN
Despite the money provided by the government, through staff furlough schemes and direct payments, it's not enough to pay off the expensive central London bills that have piled up at the Red Lion.
"The phone never stops ringing with bills that have got to be paid," reveals Damien. "You try and do a deal with everyone, but you get a strong sense of just kicking the can down the road.
"Because we're a family business, it's very personal." says Mary. "It's not like this is just a livelihood, I've grown up here, this is a family hub, and it's really important for us to survive."
Video editing: Riaz Jugon