‘Firms are shocked by the Covid-19 impact but we are here to help’

Firms across town have been contacted by Southport Business Improvement District, offering help to those worried by the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Two weeks ago many in the hospitality industry including restaurants, pubs and cafes were ordered to shut in an effort bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who now has the virus himself.
Last week swathes of ‘non-essential’ shops, with the exception of food retail, pharmacies and a few others, were also ordered to shut.
These are anxious times for everyone in the business community with no-one quite sure what is going to happen next amidst warnings from the Prime Minister that things are likely to get worse before they get better.
During the crisis the team at Southport BID have been working ceaselessly to provide vital support and information to businesses in the resort.
They have been ‘phoning business owners, holding conversations via email and posting all the latest Government and Sefton Council advice and support on the various Southport BID social media channels.

M&S Food Hall remains open with new safety measures for shoppers

They were initially meeting several business owners face-to-face, but the current Coronavirus restrictions make that impossible.
Southport BID Chair Susannah Porter said: “As a BID team we are continuing to operate throughout this crisis.
“We are working remotely but remain contactable daily by phone or email.
“We are communicating daily with national BID bodies and will update the latest information on our website before sharing it on Twitter and Facebook.
“During this critical time for you all, we will continue to provide support in any way we can.”
A wide range of support for business owners and employees has already been made available by the Government, and it is important that people in Southport are able to access what is available.

Chapel Street in Southport town centre. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

On March 20, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a business grant to cover up to 80% of staff salaries for those who are not working during the crisis but are being retained on payroll, capped at £2,500 per month per employee.
Commercial tenants who miss a rent payment because of Coronavirus over the next three months will be protected from eviction under the Coronavirus Bill.
Other measures announced include: a 12-month Business Rates holiday; grant funding of £25,000 for retail and hospitality; a business interruption loan scheme; business insurance reassurance; a time to pay tax scheme and Quarter 1 2020 deferrals; Bank of England measures, including lower interest rates; and Statutory Sick Pay Relief.
Firms can now apply for Business Interruption Grants via the Sefton Council website:
https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/covid19businessform/

Southport BID Chair Susannah Porter said: “We have been sending out lots of emails to local businesses and have been speaking with business owners to do all we can to help people and keep them up to date with the latest help and advice.
“We have had a really good response, people have seemed pleased to hear from us.
“Lots of businesses in Southport are asking questions about what help is out there and how they can access it.
“We now have a lot of information on the Southport BID website and have also been sharing lots of information on our social media channels.”
The sheer scale of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on every aspect of life in Southport has come as a huge shock to everyone.
Susannah said: “People are panicking and many just don’t know what to do.
“They are in complete shock. This crisis seemed like it came from nowhere.
“Initially, many people were saying ‘this will soon blow over’.

People urged to Show A Heart for our emergency and key workers

“The next thing, the whole of the UK, and Southport, have shut down and gone into lockdown and it is all really serious.
“Many businesses are worried about whether they are going to be in a situation where they are able to re-open.”
Many important messages have emerged from the Coronavirus epidemic and the resulting financial chaos for businesses and local people.
One of the most important is the importance of using local shops where at all possible.
Susannah Porter said: “Over the past few weeks we have seen lots of local residents doing all they can to support local businesses.
“They are trying to support us all and that is so important.
“When the Coronavirus epidemic is over and life starts to get back to normal, we hope everyone in Southport will continue to support their local businesses.”
Southport Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent organisation that represents more than 700 businesses in the Southport town centre and seafront areas and aims to make a positive difference to the future of the town..
You can keep up to date with all the work Southport BID is doing and what support is available to local firms through the Coronavirus outbreak in Southport by Liking Southport BID on Facebook, Follow @SouthportBID on Twitter or visit their website: www.southportbid.com
If people would like to be receive Southport BID email updates with latest advice on dealing with the Coronavirus crisis please send their email address through to: chair@southportbid.co