As lockdown measures begin to ease this week and businesses start to focus their efforts on re-opening, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership is working with local business leaders and partners to ensure businesses are provided with the information they need to begin their recovery.
Steve Fogg, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, explains ”The announcement by the Chancellor of the changes to the Job Retention Scheme, which includes flexibilities for employers returning furloughed staff to work, provides a clear indication that we are entering the next phase of returning to some sort of normality. However it is clear from conversations we have had from businesses that they have concerns about how to re-open in a way that is not only safe for employees, but also in a way which will not jeopardise their longer-term sustainability.”
”Whilst some businesses have diversified and thrived during the Covid-19 crisis, inevitably many have been adversely impacted and are still very much in survival mode, grappling with cash flow issues, low or empty order books and timings for bringing people back to work. Whilst the range of economic intervention packages provided have been extremely welcome and have provided a lifeline for many businesses, this remains a very challenging period of uncertainty.”
He went on to say, ”To date, more than 5,000 people have used Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, to manage the initial impact of the coronavirus on their business operations through the #AskForHelp campaign, which is encouraging news. However as we start to look at recovery, a new campaign has been launched offering funded support to help Lancashire businesses map out their longer-term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The #BoostYourRecovery campaign aims to help businesses understand the key challenges and opportunities in the current situation and develop a strategy for bouncing back. I would urge all businesses, whatever size and in whichever sector to access this advice and guidance.”
Sarah Kemp, Chief Executive Officer for the Lancashire Enterprise added, ”The support available through the #BoostYourRecovery campaign provides a range of free advice and coaching on key aspects of recovery such as finance, sales, marketing and people to help them reset, strengthen their business and plan for the future. This guidance can be accessed through webinars, video content, online coaching, peer learning, tips and tools. Whilst this campaign is focussed on business recovery, it is however important to stress that help through existing support packages such as the Small Business Bounce-Back Loans and the Local Discretionary Grant Scheme are still available for new applications from eligible businesses.”
Further information and guidance on the #BoostYourRecovery campaign can be accessed via www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/boost-your-recovery
General Covid-19 support advice can be found via www.lancashirelep.co.uk/Covid-19
Information on eligibility criteria for the Local Discretionary Grant Scheme can be found on individual local authority websites.
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