April 14 coronavirus update for businesses

By Tim Aldred

14 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.

CBI urges businesses to support NHS

The CBI has urged businesses in region to join the ‘battle’ to produce protective equipment for the NHS and front-line workers.

The organisation is calling firms with the skills or expertise that could be harnessed to get involved, as well as those who have skills that could be useful for the fight, including the suppliers, lawyers, logistics and others needed to make this critical endeavour happen.

To coordinate this and make a collective action plan to respond to this challenge, the CBI os convening a business call at 11:30am next Wednesday.

CBI regional director Damian Waters said: “Protecting NHS and social care staff on the frontline is vitally important. But it’s not just them, from people carrying out essential work in food manufacture or Post Offices and delivery drivers, key workers need protective gear and we are committed to helping to secure it for them. These people are the fifth emergency service in times like these. I believe that businesses and firms in region could play a key role and I’m calling on anyone who thinks they could play a part, even a small part, to sign up to the webinar and see if you can."

Senator delivers thousands of items for new hospitals

The Altham-based Senator Group has delivered around 7,000 items of furniture to the new hospitals in Birmingham, Manchester and existing NHS facilities. Items included patient bedside lockers and overbed tables, along with a selection of patient chairs and tables. Further orders are also being completed for the Nightingale Hospital in Glasgow.

Robert Mustoe, managing director of the furniture firm, said: “We are extremely proud to work with the NHS and to be able to support them at this time and we thank our staff for the extraordinary effort they are putting into their work to fulfil these vital orders.

"Production is now well and truly underway, with healthcare products at these sites, which includes Huncoat, Altham, Whitebirk and Lower Darwen, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that is doing their bit to keep the factories moving and the product flowing, our dedicated employees and suppliers are what is keeping us going in such critical times."

Splat launches online health and safety training

Todmorden-based Splat training has launched a range of short, online health and safety training courses.

Company founder Amy Gault said: "Now seemed like the perfect time to introduce a suite of online safety training materials, not only as a way to keep our business afloat but because almost half of all businesses are expected to furlough staff in the next few months.

"Although the law forbids furloughed employees from working whilst laid-off, they are allowed to undertake training. Without the usual distractions of the workplace, learning new safety skills or refreshing existing ones in the home will be a valuable use of people's time during this period."

Amy added that many other staff will be working from home for the first time and while the Health and Safety Executive in England has relaxed the rules on risk assessing workstations where employees use display screen equipment like laptops, it's still a good idea for staff to familiarise themselves with how to work safely.

Blackpool community comes together

In response to Blackpool's Corona Kindness appeal, 12 operational hubs across the town have been set up, each with their own small team of staff and volunteers. Each hub is providing food parcels, shopping assistance, medication supplies, a befriending service and dog walking.

Last week, the Corona Kindness helpline received 1174 emails, 460 calls and more than 200 offers of help from Blackpool residents. Blackpool Council made contact with 300 people who needed assistance with shopping, medication and dog walking. General advice and support was also given.

Organisations which provided support include Blackpool Council and Blackpool Coastal Housing, Blackpool Football Club Community Trust, Empowerment, The Boys and Girls Club, The Carers Centre, The Magic Club, Warren Manor, Groundworks, The Tab Family Hub and The Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

Blackpool Council’s Leader, Cllr Simon Blackburn, said: “The kindness shown by people over the past few weeks is a testament to the resilience, spirit and resolve of the Blackpool community."

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Financial Affairs support the Red Rose Award winners' reception Networking photograph

Financial Affairs support the Red Rose Award winners' reception

24 Apr 2025

2

Lancaster University unveils cutting-edge computing and cyber security facilities Head of Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications Professor Nigel Davies, Chris Ensor, Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Sarah Kemp

Lancaster University unveils cutting-edge computing and cyber security facilities

24 Apr 2025

3

Northcote announces new owners Alf and Clare Ellis as Lisa Goodwin-Allen returns as chef patron-director Craig Bancroft and Lisa Goodwin-Allen

Northcote announces new owners Alf and Clare Ellis as Lisa Goodwin-Allen returns as chef patron-director

24 Apr 2025

4

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

5

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
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 1200px 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

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

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 Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin