Business group condemns lockdown roadmap confusion

By Tim Aldred

19 May 2021

frank-mckenna-w.jpg

As two new Covid-19 vaccination sites open in Blackburn, the leader of a Lancashire business group says the county's roadmap out of lockdown is less than clear to businesses.

Pharmacy2U, the UK’s largest online pharmacy, has been called in by Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria to open sites at Penny Street Car Park and Royal Blackburn Hospital to boost the delivery of first and second doses.

The sites have opened this week admist growing fears regarding the Indian variant of the virus, which is thought to be particularly prevalent in Blackburn and Bolton. It is believed that the new variant spreads more easily than other forms of the virus.

Its rapid spread has put the prime minister's roadmap to re-opening the economy into question, with Frank McKenna, chief executive of Downtown in Business, leading calls for clarity.

"Business confidence has taken another hit over the last few days as it has become apparent that the route map which the prime minister insisted was ‘irreversible’ in February is indeed under review," said Frank.

He said that rumours of an extended lockdown, local lockdowns, or a tiered approach, had 'knocked the stuffing' out of the tourism and hospitality sector which has been largely unable to operate over the last year.

He also said that politicians had been sending mixed messages by championing the high rate of inoculation whilst also threatening further restrictive measures.

Frank said: "They are urging people to get jabbed, but at the same time appear to be undermining the efficacy of the vaccine. If most people in the vulnerable categories have been inoculated, people are asking why further restrictions are being threatened? Not for the first time, the government’s messaging is all over the place.

“For the sake of business confidence and for the sanity of many business owners, we need a much more consistent approach from the prime minister and his team.”

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Group outlines multi-million-pound regeneration plans for Preston Preston 35 Launch

Group outlines multi-million-pound regeneration plans for Preston

26 Jul 2024

2

County council's scaleup support creates more than 100 jobs Scaleup Leaders Network Participants 2022

County council's scaleup support creates more than 100 jobs

26 Jul 2024

3

How to be better than your biggest competitor Neil Burrows 2024 2

How to be better than your biggest competitor

26 Jul 2024

4

Behind the scenes of Root Fifty-Two's Pendleside Hospice refreshed brand Pendleside – 2 (1).jpg.jpg

Behind the scenes of Root Fifty-Two's Pendleside Hospice refreshed brand

26 Jul 2024

5

How to build mental strength How to build mental strength .png.png

How to build mental strength

26 Jul 2024

Bec Web Strip 980x120
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2024

Lancashire Built Environment Conference

Conference and Exhibition Centre, Winter Gardens Blackpool, FY1 1HL

08:30 - 13:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
11 Jun 2024 - 04 Dec 2024

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 16:30

Preston Freelancer MeetUp and Coworking Day
Screenshot 2024-06-13 at 13.55.10.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jul 2024

Preston Freelancer MeetUp and Coworking Day

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 1
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
30 Jul 2024 - 08 Oct 2024

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 1

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2024

Chamber Breakfast Networking

Pye Motors, Morecambe, LA3 3PF

08:00 - 10:00

Scaling your revenue: From zero to £1m in 60 months
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
31 Jul 2024

Scaling your revenue: From zero to £1m in 60 months

Online, Online, Online

08:00 - 09:30

International Coworking Day Open Day
1.png.png
LBV Hub Social
09 Aug 2024 - 09 Aug 2024

International Coworking Day Open Day

Society1 Coworking Space, Prestin, PR1 3 LT

10:00 - 13:00

Knowledge & Networking: Basic Digital Marketing
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
12 Aug 2024

Knowledge & Networking: Basic Digital Marketing

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

14:00 - 13:00

Understanding Menopause
menopause.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Aug 2024

Understanding Menopause

x, Online, x

12:30 - 13:15

Sub36 Networking Event - The Bee Centre
Sub36 Socialbee Centre
Networking
15 Aug 2024

Sub36 Networking Event - The Bee Centre

The Bee Centre, Chorley, PR6 8LZ

15:00 - 17:00

Mini Networkers - Family Fun Morning
CBP-logo LBV.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Aug 2024

Mini Networkers - Family Fun Morning

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

10:00 - 13:00

Morecambe Bay Walk 2024
bay1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Fundraisers
17 Aug 2024

Morecambe Bay Walk 2024

Sets off from Arnside, Carnforth, Cumbria Finishes at Grange Promenade, Kents Bank, Arnside, LA3 3LL

15:00 - 17:30

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 LBV116 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin