Coronavirus business update: Latest news across the North West
Knutsford-based business Packaging Automation has secured a six-figure funding package from Barclays through the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
This will help it maintain the ability to trade through the COVID-19 crisis ensuring the business can emerge stronger after what is a hugely difficult time for the whole industry.
Packaging Automation is a British manufacturer of packaging machinery with specialist knowledge of tray heat sealing technology and factory automation.
It is an innovative business that listens, learns and collaborates with food manufacturers to deliver the most sustainable solutions for its customers with the lowest possible environmental impact.
The business was established as ‘designers and manufacturers of special purpose machinery’ in 1963 by Arthur Penn.
Nearly 60 years later, the business is still owned and managed by the Penn family and is still very much involved in the design and manufacture of machinery.
However, with the effective shut down of the industry, many of the clients that it serves were not able to continue with planned projects, presenting significant challenges on the business until normal trading resumes.
Thankfully, the manufacturer has now secured a loan which will help the business with the working capital it needs to see it through this disruptive period.
Neil Ashton, Packaging Automation managing director, said: “A couple of months ago, nobody could have predicted the challenge we were about to experience.
“We are thankful to be supplying equipment to the food industry, not just in the UK, but globally. Having said that, we didn’t know whether investment in new capital equipment would dry up amidst the pandemic confusion.
“We had a strong order book but were experiencing some customers delaying deliveries and, therefore, final payments until a time of greater certainty and relaxed safety restrictions.
“We had to protect the company and the safety and welfare of our workforce, who are essential workers to the food industry.
“At the start of lockdown we were uncertain about the volume of new machinery orders we would receive during the next few months and for a period of time it did seem that for many businesses capital investment was on hold.
“We had to plan for the worst-case scenario that we wouldn’t receive any orders until October so we took the responsible decision and spoke to Barclays.”
Robin Richards, Barclays relationship director, said: “It’s been very rewarding working with Neil and the business to provide funds so they can sustain their business through the current crisis.
“The CBIL funding will enable them to continue to grow the business with the added comfort of knowing the funding is available continue to invest in stock to enable their clients in the food manufacturing sector, thereby strengthening their position in the market.”
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Following recent government advice, Cheshire East Council is preparing to reopen its indoor and outdoor markets.
The reopening of the markets will be in a phased approach, following discussion with key stallholders, ensuring that all sites meet current COVID-19 secure guidelines.
For indoor markets, traders selling essential goods, such as food and plants, will reopen first. The trading of non-essential items, such as clothes, shoes and toys, will then follow later, resulting in a full market reopening.
The indoor Congleton Market will reopen for essential services on June 2, as will the outdoor market, while the full market will reopen on June 16.
The Crewe outdoor market will open on June 5, but there are no fixed dates yet for essential items traders or the full indoor market reopening.
Macclesfield outdoor market will open on June 8, and the indoor market will open on June 15.
Traders have been asked to adhere to a new way of working due to the social distancing guidelines and additional hygiene measures that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak presents.
Residents are advised to be aware of the new systems and restrictions in place, these are:
Indoor markets
● Reduced opening hours will be in place. Markets will open from 9.30am to 2.30pm. This will be reviewed on a regular basis;
● There will be one entrance and one exit to the market, these will be clearly marked;
● Residents are reminded to wash their hands before their journey to the market and when they return home;
● A one-way system will be in place with floor markings indicating two-metre distances;
● Only one person per family will be permitted, unless a carer is required, or a parent is with a young child;
● Only one trader will be permitted on each stall. Therefore, please be patient if that person is busy serving another customer and do not handle goods you don’t wish to buy;
● Please use a debit card/contactless method of payment to pay for goods, where possible, to avoid traders handling cash; and
● Any cafés in the market will provide a take-away service only.
Outdoor markets
● Normal opening hours will be in place. Markets will open from 9am to 4.30pm. This will be reviewed on a regular basis;
● Two-metre social distancing is to be adhered to and traders will advise customers who appear not to be following these restrictions when visiting their stall;
● Residents are reminded to wash their hands before their journey to the market and when they return home;
● Only one person per family will be permitted unless a carer is required, or a parent is with a young child;
● Only one trader will be permitted on each stall. Therefore, please be patient if that person is busy serving another customer and do not handle goods that you don’t wish to buy;
● Use a debit card/contactless method of payment to pay for goods, where possible, to avoid traders handling cash; and
● Any cafés in the market will provide a take-away service only.
Car boot sales will not be permitted to re-open at this time.
Outdoor artisan markets can reopen from June 1, for the sale of any goods and indoor artisan markets from June 15. Please note that artisan markets fall under the remit of town or parish councils and not Cheshire East Council.
Again, measures must be taken to ensure safe social distancing for the protection of stall holders and visitors.
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A group of 40 law students from The University of Manchester are set to volunteer their services during their holidays to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
From Monday, June 15, the students will be providing written and video advice online in five areas of law particularly impacted by the virus – carers, family, employment, consumer and housing.
The university’s Justice Hub and Legal Advice Centre has long provided vacation schemes but this year’s has been moved online because of the pandemic. Demand was high from students, with the number of placements in the scheme doubled.
“The scheme is giving 40 School of Social Science students the opportunity to have a virtual vacation scheme placement with the aim of producing short information videos to help the public in key areas that have been impacted by COVID-19,” said Claire McGourlay, Prof of Legal Education.
“Solicitors, barristers and a video editing company, Video Cake, are also all giving up their time for free to help the students to produce the videos.”
She added: “This collaborative scheme really does create a supportive and interactive environment, where students learn important skills and knowledge while supporting the most marginalised, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society.”
The scheme also has the support of Marcus Pilgersorfer QC, with 20 years’ experience and who also sits as a part-time judge. Staff in the school are also supporting the scheme as specialist academic leads, staff buddies to the groups and technical support.
Eighty three students applied for the scheme and the students who missed out on the vacation scheme will be able to take part in the virtual Manchester Free Legal Help scheme with volunteer lawyers, offering on-the-spot advice to clients in a wide range of areas of law.
This virtual scheme is due to start on Monday, June 29, and students will have the opportunity to virtually triage clients and take a record of the solicitor’s advice.
Traditionally, students taking part in the vacation scheme spent a week working in the Legal Advice Centre and another undertaking employability sessions such as updating resumes and carrying out mock interviews with prospective future employers at the University of Law.
