March 25 coronavirus update for businesses

By Tim Aldred

25 Mar 2020

Ainscough calls for manufacturers to shut down factories

Ainscough Industrial Services, which operates locations in Leyland and Standish, is calling on its manufacturing peers to shut down their factories to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and prepare for the future.

Stephen Edge, group engineering director explains “Many manufacturers operate with annual shutdowns, which allows them to execute corrective and planned maintenance needing major outages in a controlled way.  They do this as good management and to allow machinery to be out of service while not greatly impacting the supply chain.  However, we’re in an unparalleled period of disruption and manufacturers are reacting to this to reduce the commercial impact of the pandemic.

“It makes sense to consider bringing outages forward where they can, and we would expect that this is already being scheduled to make use of any reduced production periods they may currently be facing.  In this way, manufacturers will put major outages behind them when the Covid-19 outbreak has subsided and they need their machinery to run.”

Chris Fletcher, policy, campaigns and communications director of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “At a time of huge upheaval in this unprecedented crisis many businesses will be looking for and having to adopt brand new ways of working and the idea of expediting the shutdown to allow this work to be done now so that once we are out of it we can literally hit the ground running makes absolute sense.

"There are obviously still health issues to consider but the idea, if it can be delivered, is exactly the right type of response looking forward to when the crisis has passed. It is vital that once we can we all get behind the economy to get the country going again."

British Business Bank publishes details of loan scheme

The British Business Bank has published details of the The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, announced by the chancellor in the spring budget.

The programme can provide facilities of up to £5m for smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow. Finance is available in the form of  loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance which benefit from guarantees, waived fees and deferred interest repayment.

More details can be found here

Voucher scheme helps public support venues

Lancaster-based creative agency Hotfoot Design and gift voucher platform Regalo are offering free online gift voucher shops for local businesses. 

Hospitality venues and leisure destinations are able to sell gift vouchers directly to customers which are delivered by email through the new gift voucher discovery website Vouch.

Local Vouch participants already include Lancaster Brewery, Samlesbury Hall, the Plough at Lupton, the Sun Hotel & Bar, and the Lawrence Hotel.

Harriet Russell, of Vouch and Regalo Gifts, said: "This is an incredibly challenging time for all of us, but it is particularly difficult for those working in the hospitality and leisure sector. We’re seeing such a wonderful community spirit arising across the nation in response to the virus outbreak, and we thought this is the best way we could help our local, independent businesses.

"Gift vouchers are something to look forward to at the best of times, but now they offer a way to support the venues and places we love when they need it most. Buy now and experience later is the message, as we encourage everyone to vouch for the future. Together we'll get through this."

Businesses can sign-up for free to sell their gift vouchers through https://Vouch.gifts/future

Chorley Group offers discounted servicing to NHS staff

Lancashire-based Nissan dealer Chorley Group is helping prevent the spread of coronavirus by undertaking thorough hygiene and sanitation processes, as well as allowing customers to complete large parts of their car purchase over the phone or online.

The company is also rewarding NHS staff and care workers by halving the cost of car repairs and servicing.

Adam Turner, sales director, said: "We know how difficult it is for everyone at the moment, and we want to make life a bit easier for those people working to keep us and our families safe and well. We are here for our customers, our team and our suppliers, too. Everyone is coming together and working hard to ensure we have 100% business continuity."

To take advantage of the offer, visit one of the Nissan dealerships in Chorley, Preston, Burnley, Blackpool and Wigan or visit www.chorleygroup.co.uk

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

  • 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

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin