Pleas - the two firms and Mr Aylen DESPERATE business owners say they are on their knees over delays in business support grants needed to keep them afloat. Companies claim they have not had payments from Southend Council since November and are struggling to pay rents as a result. Carrie Blood, 47, owner Lady Pirates tattoo studio in Leigh says her health has suffered from the stress of keeping her business afloat. The mum-of-three said: “It’s been really stressful. I’m going to see a cardiologist over palpitations that I’ve been getting. “I’m supposed to get £664 every two weeks and then in the national lockdown we should get an extra one-off payment of £4,000.