Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

North Yorkshire-based theme park Flamingo Land has received support from Barclays through the Government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

Currently closed due to Covid-19, Flamingo Land was established in 1978 by the father of Gordon Gibb, former Chairman of Bradford City Football Club. It is one of the UK’s most visited zoos, theme park and holiday resorts.

The business saw its income fall overnight with the COVID-19 closure affecting what would normally be the busiest trading period of the year between April and October.

Gordon Gibb, CEO of Flamingo Land, said: “Prior to COVID-19 we were growing year on year and reinvesting our profits back in to the business to expand our core services, support our workforce and deliver on our environmental commitments.

“With more than one and a half million visitors coming through out gates each year, the lockdown saw immediate and widespread business interruption across all of our core business units.

“The support we have received from Barclays to access a CBIL loan in a matter of weeks has been a lifeline to ensure we have sufficient working capital throughout this uncertain period.”

The company employs over 700 staff at the height of the season and is a major employer locally.

Oliver Whitehurst, Barclays relationship director, put together the funding package. He said: “I’m delighted that Barclays was able to step in to support Gordon, Denise and the team to access a CBILs loan within a two-week period.

“This loan has helped to bolster Flamingo Land’s cash flow and support their day-to-day expenditure.

“Having worked closely with Gordon and his team over the past few years, I see first-hand the economic contribution Flamingo Land makes to the Yorkshire region.

“Ensuring we continue to back UK businesses like Flamingo Land through COVID-19 and beyond will be vital to kick-start the local economic growth and to support the UK’s recovery.”

Kevin Hollinrake, constituency MP for Flamingo Land and Co-Chair of the APPG for Fair Banking, said: “Flamingo Land is one of North Yorkshire’s top tourist attractions, so it was bound to be hard-hit by the lockdown, which has had a huge impact on the visitor economy.

“The best way we can help businesses across North Yorkshire and ease the burden on the taxpayer is by safely reopening the economy and I am pleased that North Yorkshire is starting to re-open for business and welcoming visitors to our area.”

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Online cards and gifts business Love Layla has witnessed a leap in demand for its greeting cards and other items since returning to full production in late May.

The Pontefract-based firm has seen sales for Father’s Day cards boosted 75% on this time last year with almost three weeks still to go before the occasion.

Stacey Dennis, who founded the business, closed it for the lockdown to protect her staff, customers and suppliers and in mid-April remotely launched e-card versions of her firm’s range.

In March she created specially designed colouring sheets or ‘adult learning packs’ for parents to help them relax during the lockdown.

For 2020 the business has launched 280 new designs for its Father’s Day range with this also being the first year that customers can personalise the message on the inside of the card.

In five years, Love Layla has grown to become a multi-million-pound operation. Its performance follows recent six-figure investment in machinery and digital assets.

Dennis started the business in 2015 with just £30 after being made redundant as a designer. The company has established a franchise in Australia and is eyeing new markets around the world.

Dennis said: “It’s great to be back in our business premises and operating at full tilt again. Since opening up the office fully, we’ve been inundated and orders for our Father’s Day range are through the roof.

“Now we’re up and running properly again, we’re looking forward to the second half of 2020 and anticipate this will be our best year so far.”

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The Yorkshire Dales market town of Settle is set to become the UK’s first ‘Rainbow Town’ once lockdown is lifted and businesses are permitted to open.

The initiative, due to go live as soon as Government restrictions are lifted, will see local businesses re-opening with special discounts and offers for frontline NHS staff and care workers.

Already 25 businesses in Settle have signed up to the scheme with more joining every day. Offers will be available from traders displaying the Settle Rainbow Town logo on their website or premises.

A full list of participating businesses and offer details are displayed on the town’s website at  https://www.visitsettle.co.uk/settle-rainbow-town.html

David Sexton of Woodlands House first suggested the Rainbow Town concept, which is being co-ordinated through Vibrant Settle, a community partnership in the town which spearheads several initiatives to support the local economy.

Sexton said: “While countless businesses throughout the country are offering special deals and discounts for NHS and other key workers, we thought it would be great if Settle businesses not only joined in, but also progressed the idea further and co-ordinated our efforts to form the first Rainbow Town.

“Individual shops, accommodation and hospitality providers along with many others have come together to give frontline health and care workers a meaningful thank-you which will be a positive legacy of COVID19 going forward.”

Steve Amphlett, of Visit Settle, said: “This is a great way to show appreciation for these critical workers when businesses are permitted to reopen.

“For now though, most of the town remains closed and visitors are requested to respect our residents by following the Government rules on travel and social distancing.”