Coronavirus business update: Latest news across Yorkshire

A Pudsey company has joined the fight to help keep people safe from COVID 19.

Scientists at Vickers Laboratories in Pudsey, Leeds have launched a range of sanitisation products to help businesses across multiple industries to combat the pandemic and get back to work.

Their newly launched hand sanitiser is made in Yorkshire to a recipe approved by the World Health Organisation.

Vickers Laboratories, established in Pudsey, 50 years ago, pivoted at the start of lockdown to create its own range of scientifically blended hand antisepsis products to reduce infection.

The company has teamed up with Algeos, a UK healthcare wholesalers, to distribute the hand sanitiser, which can be used to refill all types of dispensers.

It is now being snapped up by businesses across the country including care homes, hospices, vets, solicitors, hotels, police control centres, taxi companies, offices and shops.

Steve Foster, MD of Vickers Laboratories, said: “When the pandemic struck, we repurposed a production line so we could start producing our own range of hand sanitisers.

“They are all manufactured in Yorkshire, fast drying, made using the best ingredients and are highly effective. Our new range is even scented with a fresh linen fragrance, which our customers love.”

Jackie Fisher, CEO of Algeos, said: “We are committed to discovering the most innovative products which is why we were delighted to team up with Vickers Laboratories to help them distribute such a market leading product.

“An increasing number of people are coming back to work every week and they need access to the best sanitisers and masks.”

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A Yorkshire start-up has begun a service providing a one-stop shop for organisations seeking optimised working-from-home solutions.

Founded in the wake of the lockdown, Leeds-based Homework is targeting a growing market of businesses which have come to appreciate the benefits of remote working but understand the need to make it ergonomically suitable for the long-term productivity and well-being of staff.

Working in collaboration with a wide-ranging network of designers and manufacturers, Homework provides IT and ergonomic equipment along with furniture tailored to each individual and their home.

A spokesman for Homework said: “Numerous organisations have embraced the potential that remote working offers in terms of lower operational costs, reduced environmental impact, improved staff well-being and increased productivity.

“However, many employees had to hastily improvise their working arrangements in lockdown, often leading to sub-standard set-ups at home which are ill-suited to their needs and likely to impact productivity and physical health in the longer term.

“If remote working is set up correctly, the rewards can be enormously valuable – a better work-life balance for employees, more competitive talent attraction for employers and huge savings for businesses, all at no loss to productivity.”

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A group created just over 10 years ago to support traders and businesses in the LS29 postcode area has seen a surge in membership during the pandemic.

Founding member of the Ilkley Business Forum, David Lowe, who still serves on the committee, says membership has surged by 12% since March.

Ilkley Business Forum was launched in 2009 by solicitor and former Town Mayor of Ilkley and Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council Steve Butler alongside other local businesses including businessman David Lowe who is still on the committee today.

Lowe said: “Ilkley Business Forum was launched to create a regular place and space for local traders to meet to discuss issues of local importance and to build on the strong spirit of mutual support in LS29.

“Over the years we have attracted local businesses as well as traders as we recognise the strength in coming together across all sectors.

“Members give perspectives, insights and can offer advice that is invaluable to each other and never have we had a greater sense of purpose than now as we use our growing network to provide information and support to help us all through the most challenging and – for many – very worrying times that Covid-19 presents.

“Businesses in LS29 have a shared passion for our towns and a shared commitment to creating a thriving future.

“We have reduced our membership fee by half until March 2021 to help more businesses to access our support and by working together and promoting each other we can succeed as individual businesses and create a business community that is strong, resilient and informed.”

Among the newest members to join the Ilkley Business Forum is Home Instead Senior Care.

The home care provider’s director, Simon White, said: “As a team we felt it was really important to network with other businesses and keep up to date with all that’s happening in Ilkley.

“It has been a really useful exercise, leaving us feeling better informed, better connected and better prepared for the coming months.”

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The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is seeking to accelerate post-coronavirus business recovery and growth across the region by offering discounted annual memberships to businesses in Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield.

Facilitated through a £100,000 grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), over 400 businesses will be able to join the Mid Yorkshire Chamber from as little as £55 (ex VAT) for 12 months – a reduction of up to 75%.

Businesses signing up will benefit from skills workshops and networking, as well as discounted export services for those trading outside of the UK.

The Mid Yorkshire Chamber also represents organisations by lobbying policy makers locally, regionally, and nationally to ensure member’s voices are heard on the issues that are affecting them.

Martin Hathaway, managing director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber said: “We are delighted to be able to offer these new membership packages to support even more businesses across our region.

“The last six months have been extremely challenging for all and tough times still lie ahead as we begin to recover from the coronavirus crisis and adapt to new ways of operating.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to grow their businesses and get connected, supported, and represented, both locally and nationally at a crucial time, as we look to the future and beyond Brexit together.”

The subsidised scheme will offer 410 discounted 12-month memberships for organisations with less than 50 employees based in Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield and membership costs vary depending on the number of employees per organisation.

The scheme opens on 1 September and is available on a first come, first served basis, until 30 December. After the first 12 months, membership prices will rise to standard fees.