Businesses across the country will be relieved to hear that they will be able to re-open or increase their capacity on May 17. The PM’s announcement on Monday that the next step of the roadmap to recovery would go ahead next week will provide confidence and a huge boost to many businesses.
Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be allowed to re-open indoors as well as a host of other changes happening on May 17.
It has been a hard first few months of 2021, the majority spent in lockdown and businesses either forced to shut or operate at a reduced rate. This next step in opening up the economy will allow those previously not allowed to re-open or those operating at a lower capacity to regain some much-needed confidence and profit for those cash-strapped businesses.
A longer-term support plan as well as the successful vaccine rollout has eased many businesses worries and created a sense of optimism that the road forward will be a positive one rather than a backwards step.
Government should still monitor and listen to business concerns over the longer term and provide support to keep those contributing to the economic recovery of the UK operational and confidence levels high.
I will look forward to seeing the successful re-opening of businesses and trade returning to our 2 counties and the businesses that have been impacted over the last 12 months. This certainly does give me hope that businesses will be able to regain confidence and begin to look towards and plan for the future.
The Chamber will continue to provide businesses support and guidance as we remain on the road to recovery. To keep up to date with the latest advice and support available please visit our comprehensive Coronavirus Business Support Hub here hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/coronavirus-information.