Here we are back to square one or maybe even a few steps back from that. We are facing the inevitability of another lockdown which may have been less bitter it if had been implemented a couple of weeks’ ago.
Listening to the vast majority of businesses, they understand why we need to do what we can to make sure the hospitals are not overwhelmed. We however, need some level of pre-planning and forward thinking. We were told there would be a second wave. We should have pre-empted it instead of trying to deal with it in crisis mode, in the public eye when we are in the middle of it.
I do not envy the job of the politicians at all. It is a thankless task, particularly when not all of the team are pulling in the one direction. I don’t think politics and business has ever been more intrinsically linked. I know people are doing their very best in exceptional times, but I believe we will be living with the impact of this virus for a long time after the actual pandemic subsides.
I hope people will be sensible when out and about this week. Leaving the lockdown for a full week after announcing it could very well see us in a worse situation come mid December. I do hope not but the evidence is already there to be seen.
I had to get a few bits and pieces over the weekend, and I was very keen to shop locally. I think we all need to do our bit over the coming months to support local. I couldn’t believe however the photos that appeared on social media of crazy queues for well-known high-street shops.
If they are verified and true, people in Northern Ireland just aren’t getting it. I would be sick if I were a responsible restaurateur or hotelier looking that those images, knowing that I am not even allowed to serve food outside at socially distanced tables. I am amazed and horrified to still see families/groups queuing or walking around with no face coverings. I know some people have a legitimate reason but it’s hard to reason that full groups of people can be in this situation. If wearing a mask helps prevent even one person from getting Coronavirus it is well worth doing it.
The next fortnight is going to be a difficult one for what is deemed ‘non essential’ retailers. Some of the terms used during this pandemic really need a rethink- ‘wet pubs’, ‘non-essential retail’ ‘circuit-breakers’ etc. are words that I hope will disappear into the history books with this dreaded virus.
It was good to see however, the Finance Minister moving quickly with the support package. On Monday Minister Murphy announced a package worth £213 million for businesses.
This includes a £95m million High Street Voucher Scheme utilising a pre-paid Card. There are nearly 2m people in Northern Ireland by my understanding – does this mean something like a £50 voucher to spend locally for every person? If so, this would be a fantastic boost. Details of the scheme may have been announced by the time of going to print but this is one I will be watching with interest.
There is a further £55 million to extend the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme to include non-essential retail, leisure, and entertainment businesses now forced to close. The key to this money is getting it out quickly to the recipients. There is no point in a business benefiting when it has gone to the wall.
There is also £20 million to support Company Directors who have been without support up until now. I think this is a great move as many Company Directors are self employed owners of relatively small businesses who are likely to put any support they get straight back into the local economy. It is good to also see some further commitments around rates with £20 million to extend the 12-month rate holiday to the manufacturing sector. There will be a further £150 ringfenced for further or long term rates support for the business community.
There is additional support pledged for the hard hit hospitality sector with £10.6 million to support 1,000 ‘wet’ pubs; £5 million to top up the Tourism and Hospitality Scheme and £4.1m to help Bed and Breakfast providers who missed out previously due to paying domestic rates.
The Executive will also provide £3 million to help local businesses grow their online sales. If this is the same scheme which was presented through Invest NI previously with an extremely low uptake, it needs to be revised to be accessible to businesses. I know of numerous businesses who would benefit from this if the criteria isn’t too restrictive.
We are very much in an evolving situation; it is ironic that there is nothing happening yet so much happening. Next week we will be mid-way through week one of lockdown and that may even give us time to check in again on the dread that is looming, in the form of Brexit.
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