May 7 coronavirus update for businesses

By Tim Aldred

07 May 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 to come to an end

The government's furlough scheme, which helped subsidise the employees of businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, will finish at the end of June.

Simon Mayberry, senior associate at HR and employment specialist LexLeyton, said: "While soundbites about 'addiction' to government financial assistance and the need to 'wean' businesses off the furlough scheme are in poor taste, they do highlight that employers should be putting together clear strategies for returning to work now. The return to work challenge is likely to be more contentious than the initial decision to furlough staff.

"Bringing employees back to the workplace will require all elements of business leadership to work together in order to assess the financial imperatives, the rate at which business will need to come back online, who will be needed and how the practicalities of this can be achieved.

"Finance Directors and HR departments, in particular, will need to work together closely to assess requirements, identify risks and implement the return to work plan that is most appropriate. The mechanics of returning to work and the practical concerns of employees, such as their health and safety, will be of paramount importance. Employers will therefore want to take the time now to investigate how they will meet this challenge."

Landscaping firm secures Barclays loan

Preston-based GSU Landscapes has secured a significant government-backed loan provided by Barclays. The company works with national house builders, as well as private work and arboriculture and has been impacted by the shutdown of the construction industry.

The funding, in addition to a capital repayment holiday on its existing Barclays connections, will enable the company to retain its 60-strong team of staff and to be able to almost instantly gear back up the moment the property sector resurges.

Dominic Munro, director of GSU Landscapes, said: "We run a good business, have 60 staff and a strong business model. However, due to Covid-19, we only had enough surplus cash to last another month.

"This loan has ensured that we can pay our employees, as well as pay our suppliers – some of whom I’ve dealt with the entire time I’ve been in business and have a massive personal relationship with. I’ve been with Barclays 14 years to the day and they’ve always been there to support me every step of the way."

Tom Procter, Barclays relationship director, put together the funding package for the deal and said: "Dom has developed GSU Landscapes into being a thriving and successful business and I am delighted that I have been able to personally help him bridge the cashflow during this pandemic. With Barclays’ support and the ongoing leadership by Dom and the team, I am very hopeful of GSU’s ability to resurge bigger and stronger than ever."

Hardship fund for farmers launched

Dairy farmers will be able to access up to £10,000 each from the UK Government to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. This hardship fund will help support those dairy farmers who have lost significant business following the closure of bars, restaurants and cafes in recent weeks.

Mark Bridgeman, president of the Country Land and Business Association, said: "Many dairy farmers have been experiencing major cashflow problems for weeks due to the food service sector closing down in the midst of Covid-19.

“It’s important that we support our dairy farmers so that they are still able to produce milk for doorstep delivery, retail market and processing into butter and cheese in the future when markets return to normal. These grants will help overcome some of their financial losses, but the situation is urgent for many businesses so they must be straightforward to access and quick to pay out."

Consumers optimistic about recovery

The latest Deloitte Leisure Consumer report has found that the north west is four percentage points more optimistic about the economy's recovery than the UK average.

Spending fell year-on-year across every leisure category, with overall leisure spending in the North West decreasing by 10 per cent quarter on quarter, though the study did capture the start of stay-at-home measures.

Overall consumer confidence at the state of the economy in the North West was low at -67 per cent, though more optimistic than the UK overall at -71 per cent.

David O’Leary, Partner and Head of Retail at Deloitte North West said: “Although these results do not paint the positive picture that we usually see across the region, we are extremely optimistic about the bounce-back of consumer spending in the North West.

"The first thing people will want to do is spend time with family and friends which will drive leisure and consumer spending possibly more than before. The fact that North West consumer confidence is higher than the national average will also give businesses across the North West some much needed optimism during these unprecedented times."

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

2

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

3

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

4

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

5

Inspired board reject takeover bid from major shareholder inspired-500x500.png

Inspired board reject takeover bid from major shareholder

29 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

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 Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin