New businesses like Markham Martial Arts 'forgotten' from pandemic relief

$500K in regional relief will be used to deliver micro-grants to assist around 200 businesses struggling across the region

Yorkregion.com
July 15. 2020

Despite numerous relief measures flowing from various levels of government, new businesses found themselves in a particularly tight spot after emergency closure orders in March due to COVID-19.

“The pandemic has significantly impacted and hindered the growth of our new business,” explains Christopher Williams, co-owner and head instructor of Markham Martial Arts, which officially opened its doors on March 3, but was forced to shutter less than two weeks later due to the pandemic.

“It has been such a struggle to pay the bills with no revenue, and we do not meet the qualifying criteria for any of the government programs being a newly opened business,” Williams says.

While the landlord has deferred a portion of the facility’s rent payments, it is still on the hook for the full sum at a later date.

“This has left us feeling forgotten and left to fend for ourselves with little or no means of survival,” says Williams.

“We are hopeful to get through this, but are deeply concerned and question our ability to sustain ourselves long enough to move into recovery mode as we reopen.”

Williams and his partner, Melandra Ramjas, are hopeful the recent announcement of a total $500,000 in pandemic support for struggling businesses can help their venture survive its precarious position.

York Region council approved redirecting the funds from the Starter Plus Program to help local businesses recover from the “significant” toll during the past few months, York Region chairman and chief executive, Wayne Emmerson, said.

“Many businesses across York Region have expressed concern and uncertainty over the ability to withstand and recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Charles Banfield, manager, Strategic Economic Initiatives for the region," added.

According to a recent survey, 72 per cent of businesses have been negatively impacted by social distancing measures and 70 per cent of the respondent’s workforce can’t carry out a majority of duties during the pandemic.

The region’s realignment of funds came as a “pleasant surprise” for Williams.

“It will be very helpful as we enter into the reopening phase, however, we are unsure how the funds will be distributed and the eligibility to receive this benefit.”

The expectation is the money -- offered through the four Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC) located in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and the York Region Administrative Centre -- will be used to deliver micro-grants to assist around 200 businesses across the region, Banfield said.

“Grants are what will truly help us,” says Williams, adding loans just result in even more debt.

Rejected for all other COVID-19 government support, Williams hopes the criteria for the grants will be more lenient.

“It’s very comforting to know York Region is looking out for the little guys and offering what aid they can, and we would be ecstatic to be a recipient,” he adds.

As COVID-19 shut his business down in less than 10 days of opening, Williams says he has had a really tough time dealing with the situation.

“But as a fighter, I must fight,” says the four-time Muay Thai North American champion.

His facility has been offering free online classes three times a week open to anyone interested. “Even though I am not making anything from it, I still see it as a chance to share Muay Thai with everyone,” he says.

Williams has lived and fought in Thailand, accumulated over 50-plus fights in countries including Canada, United States, Mexico, and Panama. He established himself as one of the most notable fighters and coaches in the Canadian Muay Thai community.

His dream is to share his passion and love for the sport and to see his facility thrive, featuring programs in all major aspects of self-defence, fighting and fitness for children and adults of all ages and skill levels.

"We have some of the most qualified trainers in the world, specializing in Muay Thai, kick-boxing, boxing and high intensity interval training."

He just needs to weather the storm and be able to reopen.

He hopes his business can bridge the very difficult pandemic gap by accessing one of the grants.