Coronavirus business update: Latest news across the North West

musicMagpie chief executive Steve Oliver

Supported by a surge in demand for its products as people look to work, stay connected and be entertained from home, Stockport-based musicMagpie has passed £100,000 in its fundraising scheme for the NHS Charities Together scheme, in just seven weeks.

The online recommerce business launched its fundraising initiative at the beginning of April by pledging to donate £1 for every item of consumer tech it purchases from its customers, as well as donating £1 for each refurbished tech item sold on its online store.

The scheme is set to run until the end of June, in which time musicMagpie hopes to be able to hit the original target of £250,000 raised in total.

In addition to this scheme, the company has also donated more than 200 tablets to health authorities across the UK, including 25 into Stepping Hill hospital in Stockport, to help keep people connected to loved ones when they need to the most, coupled with more than 3,000 children’s books which have been donated to local community groups across Manchester and the surrounding areas.

MusicMagpie is also supporting the night time and cultural economy in the Greater Manchester area by becoming a partner of United We Stream. The online nightlife channel was launched by Sacha Lord, night time economy adviser to Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham.

The initiative has, so far, raised more than £380,000 to support Greater Manchester’s nightlife and cultural organisations, which includes donations from viewers that have tuned in to date, in addition to corporate support and donations from the likes of musicMagpie.

Steve Oliver, musicMagpie chief executive, said: “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate that due to the Government guidelines, online retail remained open and was encouraged to keep servicing consumers.

“In the context of a surge in demand for our products, both consumer tech and physical media, we have been in the blessed position to be able to do everything we can to support our nation’s efforts to deal with COVID-19.

“Being able to support the NHS, in particular, was of a significant importance to myself, as my closest friend is a hospital consultant, and it was also the case for all our colleagues at musicMagpie. We’re absolutely delighted that we have been able to raise such a substantial sum in such a short space of time, and are committed to growing this even further over the coming weeks.”

::

Less than two months after it was launched, LCR Cares, the community fund set up by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, working in partnership with the Community Foundation for Merseyside and the National Emergencies Trust, has now distributed more than £1m to 240 community groups supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged across the whole of the Liverpool City Region.

Steve Rotheram said: “The people of the Liverpool City Region are extraordinary – kind, compassionate and resilient, it has been amazing to see how many have worked so hard to look after people in their communities who have needed a little bit of help in these difficult times.

“We set up LCR Cares in a single day at the start of the crisis, working with the Community Foundation for Merseyside, because we knew that there would be not only a need within our communities but also tireless individuals working hard to help people, who would need some support.

Steve Rotheram

“Since then, in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust, we’ve raised money extremely quickly and put that money to work in our communities just as fast.

“We’ve supported all kinds of groups, from foodbanks to mental health charities, from organisations providing activities for children to hospices helping the dying and their families.

“I’m tremendously honoured that we have been able to support them all and proud of every group and individual involved. This is not over – we will build on what we’ve done so far and continue to offer support for as long as it is needed.”

Rae Brooke, chief executive for the Community Foundation for Merseyside, said: “Many people have helped, and have been helped, over the last two months which is fantastic and that is what community spirit is all about.

“However, we know the detrimental impact of this pandemic will be with us for some time yet and that is why it’s so important the LCR Cares COVID-19 Community Support Fund is there to continue to provide vital assistance. We thank everyone and every organisation who have supported LCR Cares so far and encourage others, who are able to do so, to donate to the fund.”

Details on how to donate are on the Combined Authority’s website or visit www.lcrcares.co.uk. Community organisations can apply for grants by visiting www.cfmerseyside.org.uk

::

Greater Manchester Chamber is offering an online mediation service as the lockdown on business begins to ease.

It says, as more sectors and parts of the economy re-open and re-start in what still are challenging times, the capacity for disputes to arise is greater than ever.

Courts are taking longer to process disputes than normal and there is the potential for further delays, even after lockdown restrictions are relaxed.

As part of its recovery plans for the local business community, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce understands that support is critical and the focus for business owners must be on doing the work, not getting tied down in lengthy legal disputes.

Paul Johnson

The Chamber has partnered with one of the UK’s leading mediators, Paul Johnson of Exchange Chambers, to deliver its mediation service online, making sure members and other businesses not only have the support they need in these difficult times but can access the service remotely, saving time and money by avoiding going to court.

The parties involved in the dispute meet with Paul, who leads the discussions to discover what the issues are and what the ideal outcomes are for both sides.

During the negotiations, the parties have control over the decision and the terms of the agreement. The mediator will explore the dispute impartially, but the result remains in the hands of the parties.

The mediation success rate stands at more than 80%, but even in those cases where decisions aren’t reached, the fact that in-depth discussions have already taken place can help further down the line.

The mediation sessions can be held online.

Once government guidelines relax and business resumes, mediation sessions can be held either at the chamber’s city centre offices – accredited by the Civil Mediation Council and providing the ideal setting for dispute resolution discussions – one of the parties’ offices, or Exchange Chambers.

::

BGF has announced that it will make donations totalling £100,000 to support local community-based charities across the UK & Ireland following the onset of coronavirus.

Each BGF regional office has nominated a charity that does vital work to support vulnerable people within the communities BGF’s teams live and work in. In the North of England, Variety, the Children’s Charity has received £12,500 from BGF.

Variety exists to improve the lives of disabled children and young people living in poverty.

The charity provides practical support such as wheelchair and equipment grants, days out and children’s hospital grants.

Funds will help children’s charity Variety

The charity has been working hard to continue to deliver services to families and adapt to their emerging needs. COVID-19 has created immense challenges for families, and the charity itself which faces fundraising income being reduced by 50% this year.

Neil Inskip, head of BGF in the North West, said: “The impact of coronavirus has been devastating for charities. Many charities now face a huge funding shortfall because the usual calendar of fundraising events have been cancelled. At the same time, the children Variety helps have an enhanced and urgent need for support. We’re really proud to have been given the opportunity as regional teams to nominate the charities we feel make a real impact here.”

Variety covers the Northern regions with teams across Merseyside, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and North Wales.

Joel Voysey, head of fundraising from Variety said: “We are incredibly grateful for the gift BGF have given to support Variety’s work in the North of England, especially at a time when we are hearing from families that they need us more than ever as the impact of coronavirus restrictions takes its toll on their daily lives.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close