Coronavirus business update: Latest news across the North West

Following last week’s Summer Statement by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the next phase of the Government’s response to COVID-19 focused on job retention and creation, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is developing its response and work around the Employment, Skills and Inclusion agenda, to help address the impact of the virus on vulnerable parts of society.

As part of its ongoing Campaign for Business work, the chamber is focusing its post-COVID recovery work under the banner ‘The Way Forward’ and among a wide range of issues the impact of the economic slowdown and job losses is high on the agenda.

Chris Fletcher, policy, campaigns and communications director said: “The work of the chamber in helping businesses and society is absolutely crucial as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic.

“Skills, employment and inclusion issues were not perfect before COVID; but they’ve got a lot worse since and the future threat is very real.

“In addition to the existing long-term problems there is the capacity for a short- to medium-term flood of newly-unemployed into the mix and we will see disproportionate impacts in areas and certain groups within our communities.

“Since the announcement last week we have seen a rapid increase in headlines around more job losses on the high street.

“The Chancellor made a good start on Wednesday, but many people and businesses are saying more still needs to be done to fully offset not only the damage that could be caused, but to make sure the recovery delivers what people were expecting of it.

“At the start of lockdown there were some outstanding ideas about what a recovery needed to deliver. Businesses see this as a chance to do the right thing, seize innovative opportunities to solve deep, underlying employment, skills and inclusion issues in a constructive and productive way. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

He added: “Whilst the Chancellor is looking at doing the right thing, the amounts involved may need to be quickly revisited if they are to make any impact in the immediate short term.

“The danger is that many businesses, despite the help on offer so far, are facing a real cliff edge over the next few weeks and months and some unpalatable decisions are looming. It’s vital that we help support and look at new ways that will help business survival and for those who do lose their jobs that every element of support is available.

“The concern is that the Chancellor is using a bit of a sticking plaster approach when major surgery is perhaps the only answer.

“With over 5,000 businesses in our membership we are the largest chamber nationally and work with, and provide a valuable interface between business and decision makers locally and nationally. We will be focused to help with the GM Skills, Employment & Inclusion ‘recovery’ agenda in the most practical ways possible, as this plays a vital role in the chamber’s continued impact and overarching purpose.”

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The Beatles Story, Liverpool’s iconic leading attraction which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is set to reopen on Monday, July 20, after being awarded Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ certification.

The Industry Standard mark means that the team at the award-winning attraction, who have been busy working behind the scenes following government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, have the relevant safety measures in place and a process to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

The site welcomes record-breaking numbers of visitors each year from all around the world, and, being based in the home town of The Beatles, is considered a ‘must-visit’ pilgrimage for many Beatles fans.

Over the past 30 years The Beatles Story has welcomed many celebrities and big names in the music and entertainment industry, including Neil Diamond, Duran Duran, Mo Salah, Star Wars’ Mark Hamill, and Jack Whitehall.

The attraction will reopen with the launch of a number of upgrades, including new artefacts, exhibits and exciting immersive animations in the replica Cavern Club and John Lennon’s White Room.

General manager, Mary Chadwick, said: “We have been carefully planning ahead to ensure the safety of our customers and staff, whilst continuing to meet the high standards we set ourselves. We are delighted to receive Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ certificationm meaning we can confidently reopen our doors from 20th July.”

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Cllr David Meller

Nearly 5,250 Stockport businesses have each received a share of more than £60m in grant funding as part of the Small Business Rate Relief and Hospitality sector financial support schemes announced by the Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Small Business Grant Funding and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) are designed to help with business costs during coronavirus.

Administered by Stockport Council, the business rates team at SMBC have managed to identify and make payments of £60,355,000 to 5,249 companies and 96% of all qualifying businesses across the borough.

Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “Hitting this landmark amount has involved a tremendous amount of hard work from a host of officers across the council – I would like to thank everyone involved who has made this happen.

“We know how hard this crisis has hit businesses in Stockport, and we will continue to do everything we realistically can to support businesses in our borough.”

In response to a number of businesses having been identified as ‘falling through the net’, in May the Government launched the Local Authority Discretionary Grant fund to support small and micro businesses not eligible for other grant schemes.

While local authorities have some discretion about how to prioritise this funding, they were initially directed to prioritise businesses such as small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, regular market traders, bed and breakfasts paying council tax instead of business rates and charity properties getting charitable business rates relief, which are not eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief.

Following the release of phases one to three, Stockport Council have released a further phase which will widen the opportunities for more businesses to apply.

Businesses eligible to apply for a grant for support with their monthly fixed property costs in phase four are required to be Stockport-based small and micro businesses, businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs, not based at home, of at least £250 per month. Businesses also need to demonstrate that they’ve suffered a significant fall in income due to the coronavirus outbreak and businesses which occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000, or £150,000 if they are hospitality or leisure businesses.

Grants awarded will either £2,500, £5,000, £7,500, £10,000 or £25,000, and will be provided to support fixed property costs and not to compensate for loss of income.

In phase four there is also an opportunity to apply for a fixed grant of £2,000 for registered businesses based in Stockport who are home-based or self-employed that have not had access to any other financial support linked to COVID-19, but who have endured a significant reduction in income due to COVID-19.