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Nissan reaction from local businesses
Business is holding up at Sweet Home Alabama on High Street West, run by Martin O'Neill, pictured, and his wife Joan.
He says the credit crunch has not hit their confectionery shop and is confident the situation at Nissan will eventually take a turn for the better.
He said: "It's the most efficient car plant in the world so I'm sure it won't close down, and when things pick up again people will be taken back on.
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>> More in-depth reaction in today's Sunderland Echo
"Nissan is a lynchpin of our economy. So many industries depend on the people who work there and their families – even the restaurants they use, and the cinema."
Ian Watson, boss of Cycle World on High Street East, said: "If Nissan did go down there is going to be a huge amount of people not getting paid, so there would be a knock-on effect with retail everywhere, not just Sunderland.
"I think everyone is going to be very cautious at the start of the year.
"I think the attitude people had at Christmas was, if you have it, spend it and see what happens. It could be the last decent Christmas we have, so let's make it a good one."
Salon manager Simon McDermott at Session hairdressers, Bridge Street, said: "I do quite a few of the lads from Nissan and I feel really sorry for any of them who have lost their jobs.
"At least it means the company is not going to shut down, but 1,200 people being laid off is going to have an effect on the local economy.
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- What do you think? Are you a Nissan worker fearing for your future? Email us or call the newsdesk on 5017208
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"January is typically a quiet month for hairdressers and beauticians so we are having a meeting about what offers we can put on for January and February."
Vivien Bassi, owner of Pura juice and coffee bar on Fawcett Street, says trade has taken a turn for the worse.
He said: "We have noticed a big difference in the number of customers and have been looking at ways of saving money.
"We are letting staff go home when it is quiet rather than keeping them around.
"But there's been no job losses since we opened 15 months ago.
"An outside licence has been granted for the summer, so we are hoping that will help.
"It is the same thing every night on the news, and I know my husband who also owns the business does worry.
"I'm now working in the kitchen here, so I've gone from sitting in a suit keeping an eye on things to working hands on, and I never thought that would happen."
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
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