Coronavirus business update: Latest news across Yorkshire

The Mayor of Sheffield City Region has urged the Government to ensure greater protection of livelihoods as well as lives during the pandemic.

Ahead of the vote on the new Covid-19 tier system, Dan Jarvis said: “The move into tier three prolongs the economic pain for South Yorkshire and other parts of the country.

“Since the beginning of this crisis, I’ve repeatedly made the case that Government must provide the necessary support for businesses and people adversely affected by lockdown.

“With some hospitality and accommodation venues making 40% of their annual profits between October and January, it’s clear that losing out on Christmas trade will be a blow many businesses may not be able to recover from.

“I’m calling on the Government to extend the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) that was initially provided to South Yorkshire upon entering tier three; to extend support to all businesses, including the self-employed; and to maintain furlough at its current level for all workers who need it.

“It also means ensuring that economic support remains in place as we move to tier two, when trading will still be difficult or impossible for many businesses.

“Over the past few weeks, working with our Local Authorities, we have been making the £30m we secured for entering tier three restrictions in October stretch as far as possible.

“We will continue to make these funds available to help our communities.  But with new tougher, tiered restrictions being brought into South Yorkshire once again, our businesses and communities are being pushed to, and in some cases beyond, breaking point.”

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A teenager starting out in business has produced a video urging people to support local shops and businesses in Yorkshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Sam Teale, 18, runs Sam Teale Productions, a video company based in Cleckheaton.

He teamed up with freelance TV researcher Jack Donohoe, 22, to film clips of the people behind eight of the small businesses he works with.

The one-minute video, entitled: ‘Support Local’, aims to show that businesses have real people behind them – and true Yorkshire grit.

The video, which also showcases the Yorkshire landscape, even stars his own grandma, Audrey Teale, as a shopper.

Teale said he started out with the idea of making a John Lewis-style Christmas advert.

However, when the second national lockdown happened, he and Donohoe decided to change their focus to help those small businesses hardest hit by missing out on vital pre-Christmas trade.

The video was launched on Facebook ahead of non-essential shops re-opening this week after the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Teale said: “Shops and small businesses have been badly hit this year and I wanted to support those businesses who have supported me.

“With the ending of the second lockdown local shops and businesses only have a few short weeks to make their Christmas.

“I wanted to show that behind every small business there are real people and real families who rely on them. Every sale, even just a few pounds, can make a big difference.

“I’m really proud of the video and I think everybody will be able to relate to it. It demonstrates the strength of the Yorkshire spirit. We are tough and we just get on with it whatever is thrown at us.

“Shops and businesses have worked so hard to be safe and Covid-secure and they deserve a little help and support.”

Teale launched his business straight from school. He has taken on a part-time assistant and three months ago he moved into his first office.

He offers video production services for a range of clients and is currently working with schools to produce walk-through videos as open evenings go online during the pandemic.

To watch the video go to https://fb.watch/24OqFesPy4/

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Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) is launching two new initiatives aimed at bringing shoppers into Harrogate town centre this December.

It will again partner with bus operator The Harrogate Bus Company to sponsor its “Sunday Freeway”, offering the chance to ride its Harrogate Electrics buses on services 2A, 2B, 3 and 6 free of charge.

In addition, the BID is also launching a “free after three” car parking initiative, where motorists arriving after 3pm will be able to park for free in the Victoria Car Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between December 7 and 24.

Harrogate BID acting chairman, Sara Ferguson, said: “Because of the lockdown, traders in the town have already lost a month’s worth of business and are playing catchup.

“Whilst in lockdown, we launched the ‘Shop Harrogate Online’ campaign to encourage people to continue using local businesses who were still trading and offering services such as home deliveries and ‘click and collect’.

“Now we are coming out of the second lockdown, we are launching these two initiatives to bring people into town, via two different modes of transport.”

The Harrogate Bus Company CEO, Alex Hornby, said: “We’re delighted that Harrogate BID are able to partner with us to support free travel on Sundays on our Harrogate Electrics buses for a second Christmas, and on into the New Year.

“It’s amazing news for our town – reducing emissions and congestion, while making it easier for everyone to support our local economy and get our town’s traders back on their feet.

“Harrogate’s businesses have had an incredibly tough year, with two lockdowns and continued restrictions impacting everyone.

“It’s now up to us all to support them as they re-open for the crucial run-up to Christmas by taking advantage of free travel on Harrogate Electrics buses to shop local on Sundays in our town centre.”

Ferguson added: “We are also teaming up with Harrogate Borough Council to offer free parking in the town’s Victoria Car Park for the first four days of the week for those arriving after 3pm.

“These are traditionally the quietest days of the week, and it’s hoped by doing this we can help drive customers into town in a safe and responsible manner. And by encouraging motorists to park off-street it will hopefully assist with social distancing measures too.

“We are also busy promoting the Harrogate Gift Card as the perfect Christmas gift for friends, family and employees.”