April 20 coronavirus update for businesses

By Tim Aldred

20 Apr 2020

Lancashire Business View's daily coronavirus updates are brought to you with the support of Boost, Lancashire's growth hub, and its #AskForHelp service. You're not alone in this.

Furlough scheme extended until June

The chancellor has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended by one month to reflect continuing social distancing measures, and the application portal is now live. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The opening of the Job Retention scheme is an important milestone for businesses, who can now begin to access the cash they need to pay their staff and protect livelihoods. The government deserves credit for the speed, scale and flexibility of its response to the challenges facing our business communities. The focus should now be on delivering this support to firms on the ground.

"Our research indicates that two-thirds of firms have furloughed some portion of their workforce. With April’s payday approaching, it is essential that the application process is smooth and that payments are made as soon as possible. Any delay would exacerbate the cash crisis many companies are facing and could threaten jobs and businesses."

South Ribble businesses receive £20m

South Ribble Borough Council has distributed £20m to its businesses so far, including rate relief and more than £10m in grant funding.

The business support team has dealt with over 2,200 enquiries from businesses, with more than 1,200 applications for the Small Business Grant.

Councillor Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council said: “Our staff are continuing to work around the clock to make sure that South Ribble businesses get the support they urgently require and receive the grant funding payments they need as quickly as possible. I am really pleased that we have been able to help so many local businesses already with the initiatives we have set up and we will continue to do whatever is required."

Businesses that think they are eligible and haven’t submitted an application are encouraged to contact businessgrants@southribble.gov.uk

Hotelier launches essentials delivery service

Tony Banks, managing director of Royal Hotels, has set up the Blackpool Essentials Delivery Service to enable residents in the town to purchase staple foods such as milk, butter, cheese, eggs, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, and some sundry items and get them delivered to their doorstep.

The service is particularly useful for small households who don’t want to bulk buy. Supplies are being sourced from locally-based suppliers who have lost trade as a result of the widespread closure of businesses in Blackpool during the lockdown. 

Tony, whose group runs six hotels in Blackpool, said: "We know that there are people on the shielded list and others who are vulnerable who want to buy food, but cannot get a home delivery service. As a hotel group, we have access to essential supplies and can get these at an affordable price. The service is open to anyone who requires it – we just want to do our bit to help Blackpool and let people know they are not alone."

Orders can be made by calling 07864 093748 between 9am and 6pm, seven days a week. A full list of services available to Blackpool residents can be found at www.blackpool.gov.uk/coronakindness

Recruitment firm has delivery drivers and chefs on standby

23 Hospitality, which usually provides chefs for top restaurants, hotels and high end events, has switched focus to help keep his team employed by offering supply staff for hospitals, hospices, care homes, schools and nurseries. The Poulton-le-Fylde business has worked with the likes of Simon Rogan’s restaurants, the Marriott and Crown Plaza hotels, and football stadiums including Liverpool FC, which have all been affected by the lockdown.

Owner Dan Robinson hopes his highly-experienced, fully-qualified chefs will be able to support front line organisations by using their valuable skills and expertise, but they are also willing to take on other roles in order to help out and secure employment during the crisis.

He said: "All of our chefs are self-employed and so the cancellation of the usual calendar of events has left them understandably worried about feeding their families and paying the bills. We quickly realised there would be a requirement emerging within these front line organisations and, at a time when everyone really needs to pull together, every member of our team has said they would be happy to step in to help wherever they are needed most.

"Many of these kitchens will struggle as staff fall ill or have to self-isolate, and gaps will emerge which our team can help to fill temporarily. It might not be the sector we usually operate in, but our chefs would appreciate the opportunity to play their part in the nation’s massive support effort by helping to feed those who need it."

Blackburn College students put in extra shifts

Four Blackburn College Level 3 Health and Social Care students are going above and beyond during the country’s Coronavirus pandemic. 

Patrick Maynard, 18, is currently a first-year nursing Cadet who works part-time at Branch Court Care Home. He usually works around one shift a week but is currently doing three to four shifts to help with the demand. Charlene Brady, 17, is a second-year nursing Cadet and works as a Health Care Assistant for a care agency. As part of her work, she is currently attached to a Dementia Care Home in Clayton-le-Moors where she is spending more time to look after the vulnerable residents. 

Lily Reedy, 18, is also a second-year nursing Cadet but works as a sales advisor in a local Superdrug store. The store is classed as essential as it includes a pharmacy, so she is working more shifts than usual to help upkeep service. Athena Smith, 17, is a second-year Cadet who works on the checkouts at her local Tesco store and, again, is working extra to support the public’s needs for necessities.

Claire Thompson of Blackburn College, said: “I am very proud of the hard work, dedication and commitment that these young people have shown to both their studies and their community at this challenging time. They are a credit to themselves and the college."

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan Blackburn Aerial

Supermarket stays put in blow to town's £250m masterplan

28 Mar 2024

2

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart article placeholder listing image

Modern Milkman acquires American counterpart

28 Mar 2024

3

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

Tips for surviving Lancashire's pothole plague

28 Mar 2024

4

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue THE PIKES BLOG BANNER.jpg.jpg

The Pikes wines launched to support Lake District mountain rescue

28 Mar 2024

5

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup The Accrington Stanley Under 18s team which are currently in Dallas.jpg.jpg

Fundraising success sees Stanley Women compete in Dallas Cup

28 Mar 2024

Hwc 2024 Email Signature 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Reach 50,000 members of the Lancashire business community

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Company profile
Social reach
Magazine coverage
Sign-up
Events
Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024
Hwc 2024 Social Media 1200px 1
Networking
23 Apr 2024

Health and Wellbeing Conference 2024

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley , BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Mar 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour
EVENT LISTING SIZING Endeavour.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Chorley - BNI Endeavour

Oak Royal, Bury Lane, Chorley, PR6 8SW

06:30 - 08:30

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista
EVENT LISTING SIZING Vista.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Vista

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus
EVENT LISTING SIZING Zeus.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Accrington - BNI Zeus

The Mill House, Corn Mill Yard, Accrington, BB5 5HX

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond
EVENT LISTING BNI Diamond.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Diamond

The Marriot Hotel, Garstang Road, Broughton, PR3 5JB

07:15 - 09:00

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network
EVENT LISTING Eden Business Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - Eden Business Network

The Borough, 3 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

18:30 - 20:30

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos
EVENT LISTING BNI Kudos.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Burnley - BNI Kudos

Prairie Sports Village, Windemere Avenue, Burnley, BB10 2FU

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle
EVENT LISTING BNI Castle.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Lancaster - BNI Castle

Vale of Lune RUFC, Powder House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT

06:45 - 08:30

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch
EVENT LISTING SIZING Brunch .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Preston - BNI Brunch

Samlesbury Preston Hotel, Preston New Road, Preston, PR5 0UL

09:30 - 11:00

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity
EVENT LISTING BNI Infinity.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
05 Apr 2024

Business Networking in Blackburn - BNI Infinity

Hampton by Hilton, 2 Frontier Ave, Blackburn, BB1 3AL

06:30 - 08:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv115 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin