May 1 coronavirus update for businesses

By Tim Aldred

01 May 2020

  • 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.

Blackpool Council employees redeployed

A number of Blackpool Council employees have been redeployed to help maintain the delivery of essential services during the coronavirus pandemic. Some council employees were identified as suitable for redeployment within the community hubs where, alongside volunteers, councillors and local organisations, they have been assisting with the provision of shopping services, medication supplies, dog walking, a befriending service and food parcel distribution, which has distributed 214,000 meals so far.

The council's coronavirus response includes handling 250 calls per day to its Coronavirus Kindness helpline and contact with 3,000 vulnerable residents. The business helpdesk has received 12,000 enquiries and has paid out £33m in grants.

A full report of council activities will be made available at the town council's May 11 meeting, which will be held via YouTube. 

Neil Jack, chief executive of Blackpool Council, said: "Our ability to adapt seamlessly to this fast-moving scenario became of paramount importance and we made it very clear that we would do whatever was required to support our residents and businesses even if we did not necessarily know how we would fund it at the time. Since then, the imagination, dedication and devotion to duty that has been demonstrated by so many has been extraordinary."

Studio donates to NHS and schools

Studio, the Accrington based online value retailer, has donated tens of thousands of items to key workers, hospitals and schools across Lancashire in a bid to support the local community through the Coronavirus pandemic.

The company has donated thousands of towels and pillowcases to NHS hospital trusts across Lancashire to help frontline staff with their increased hygiene and laundry routines.

The team is also supporting parents in the town by delivering more 20,000 stationery and home learning resources to pupils in and around the town.

Studio has also donated to a number of projects. The company covered the cost of the repairs at the Derian House charity shop which was recently damaged by thieves, and replaced the garden furniture of a nurse who had hers stolen last month.

Paul Kendrick, managing director, said: "From families who need help through this period of home schooling to our amazing NHS teams who are facing the virus head-on every day, we want to support our local community in any way we can and we hope these donations help."

Home baking rise boosts Wham sales

The coronavirus lockdown has inspired the British public to try their hand at home baking, which has resulted in a boost in sales for plastic bakeware manufacturer What More UK. The Altham-based firm has begun running night shifts to keep up with demand.

Director Tony Grimshaw said: "It's great that people are remembering the traditional skills of home baking. If there's one good thing that comes out of this national crisis, it'll be a generation of kids who learnt how to cook a decent meal by watching their parents in the kitchen, like it used to be in the days before takeaways, microwave meals and TV dinners."

Hay bale rainbow raises cash for Derian House

A farmer from Billinge has constructed a giant hay bale rainbow (pictured) in a bid to raise money for Derian House Children's Hospice. The 84 round hay bales, lifted into place and decorated by Gemma Crompton and family, has so far raised more than £1,600 of its original £2,000 goal.

The charity looks after more than 400 children and young people with life-limiting conditions, helping them to make the most of the time they have. But donations at the charity have been badly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with fundraising events due to bring in £250,000 cancelled and charity shops forced to close. 

Sarah Proctor, community fundraiser at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “Derian’s Rainbow is one of the most visually striking and creative ways of raising money we’ve ever seen – it’s absolutely mind-blowing in its sheer scale and we’re so grateful to Gemma and her family for putting in such a top effort to raise money for our children."

Fresh Perspective secures Northern Powerhouse loan

Chorley-based recruitment firm Fresh Perspect has secured a £35,000 Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund loan, provided by GC Business Finance and backed by the government's Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Determined to keep their staff fully employed during the pandemic lockdown, FP has been forced to diversify, and has created virtual training for candidates and businesses through webinars. 

Laura Leyland, founder and managing director, said: “The loan has allowed us to continue the work we do and knowing we have the loan feels like a safety net in these troubling times. The process was really simple, and the team at Lancashire County Council and GCBF were extremely helpful in delivering the loan efficiently and providing sound advice."

Companies being denies access to finance

Ged Cosgrove, group managing partner of Champion Accountants, has said that he has witnessed businesses being turned away by banks despite government assurance that they would help.

He said: "We have supported a number of clients in successfully securing a funding package under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme. Despite this, several clients have been turned down for various reasons; some that we do not agree are plausible grounds for refusal and are working with these businesses to devise their next course of action. It is disappointing considering the chancellor guaranteed that ‘any good business in financial difficulty who needs access to cash to pay their rent, the salaries of their employees, pay suppliers, or purchase stock, will be able to access a government-backed loan’."

He added: "While, at present, there is no formal end to the government’s lockdown restrictions, it is sensible for businesses to begin planning for a staged return to the workplace. With the UK set to face some form of social distancing for some time to come, employers must navigate a return that prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of their teams and supports those who will be anxious about travelling to and residing in work."

Mediterranean Linens supports NHS

Burnley-based Mediterranean Linens is contributing to the national effort against coronavirus by converting its famous cotton pillowcases into scrubs bags for NHS staff.

The company was approached with the request but has gone one step further by filling the bags with gifts, such as pens and pencils, chocolates, key rings, face and hand creams.

Ashraf Said, founder and managing director, said: "We want to say a massive, heartfelt thank you to everyone who works on the front line of this crisis. We are so proud of the NHS. It's the envy of the world. With these gifts, we are saying that we are so grateful for everything you do. If any other organisations would like to contribute something to the scrubs bags, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Napthens offers mental health support

Law firm Napthens is offering mental health support to its clients who may need help during the current or future crises. Seven members of the firm’s legal teams have already qualified as certified Mental Health First Aiders which enables them to help clients who may be suffering various mental health issues during a stressful time, from experiencing of the death of a loved one, caring for incapacitated relatives or divorce.

Simon Ainsworth, head of private client at Napthens, said: "The mental health and wellbeing of our clients is as important to us as their legal health. We are a big part of our local communities and this is just another way of assisting clients to ensure they receive the best advice."

Free social media support

Burnley-based marketing agency Root Fifty Two is offering free social media support to local businesses, including a review, account set-up, new graphics and hints and tips. 

Managing director Kimberley Thompson said: "In this time of lockdown, it’s important to stay connected, and online social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, are a valuable tool when it comes to virtually closing the gaps that have physically been forced between us all.

"We know that many businesses, small and large, will be facing struggles as a result of COVID-19, and we’d like to help. By supporting each other and working together, we will pull through this pandemic, and right now our mission is to provide support and guidance to business owners as much as we can."

  • Contact Root Fifty Two on 01282 685430 to take advantage of this offer.

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

2

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

3

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

4

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker Joan Casals, Max McFarlane and Chris Pateman

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker

09 Jul 2025

5

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project Rebecca Latham, Gemma Cornwall and Ross Cornwall

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project

09 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

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

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

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