This week has seen the end of England’s second national lockdown, and the country returning to a revised tier system. The two counties have been placed under tier 2. We hope that the hard work of businesses around the region will lead to an improved picture in a couple of weeks’ time where the placement of the two counties will be reviewed.
To weather a difficult winter ahead, greater support will be needed for the hardest-hit firms, including those in town and city centres that will miss out on trade as employees continue to work from home.
Opinions have been clear; businesses need to see and understand the evidence behind these decisions.
A review of tiers on December 16 will provide hope for a way out of the strongest restrictions, but the process by which areas can move into new tiers should be transparent and include clear triggers and enough time to allow businesses to plan accordingly.
For the most affected businesses there is hope that support will be provided by the government. Similar to the recently announced £1,000 grant to pubs and bars unable to serve ‘substantial meals’ across tier 2, more sector specific support should be considered across the whole country to those businesses, through no fault of their own, are disadvantaged by the new tier system.
More than 55 million people have entered the two toughest tiers, with the rate of infection of coronavirus now levelling off, it is the hope of businesses across the two counties that sooner rather than later we will potentially work our way towards a more relaxed tier in time for the crucial Christmas period.
All businesses are encouraged to keep up to date with the Chamber’s Coronavirus Business Support hub to view the latest government announcements, including details of financial support through available funding and grants, access to online training courses and webinars for employees, and sign up to receive weekly resources for businesses.
www.hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/coronavirus-information
Useful Links
- To find out what tier your area is in, click here
- To find out what you can and can’t do in each tier, click here
- To find out what financial support your business can access, click here
- For the latest coronavirus business support, visit our Hub
- For weekly updates, support and resources just for businesses, sign up to our Coronavirus Business Support Newsletter
- Check how many cases there are in your area