Devon businesses are 'facing a cliff edge of repayment'
The CEO of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce has been responding to the Prime Minister's plans to ease lockdown
Last updated 24th Feb 2021
The CEO of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce says it is 'disappointing' that financial support has not been announced, as the Prime Minister sets out his plans to ease lockdown in England.
Stuart Elford is calling on the Government to extend a number of measures to help businesses survive, in what he describes as a 'critical time'.
He told Greatest Hits Radio that he is 'cautious':
"This isn’t going to be a light switch moment, we don’t get to a certain date, you flick the switch and business is all up and running and everyone’s back in again - this is going to be a gradual process.
"Businesses need to have certainty and confidence to be able to invest for the future and to be able to survive.
"We’re calling on the Government to extend the furlough scheme, extend the deferment of VAT and rates payments – especially for the hospitality and tourism sector and set out their financial roadmap."
On Monday (22 February), Boris Johnson announced his roadmap out of lockdown, which say we could be free of restrictions by June 21.
His four-stage process starts with things like shops, hairdressers and beer gardens re-opening on the April 12.
Restaurants and pubs could be serving indoor meals and drinks from mid-May.
However, the dates mean that many businesses will miss out on trade they would normally expect to come from the Easter holidays.
Stuart said his 'heart goes out to them' but the Government is already 'walking on a particularly fine line':
"Most businesses – certainly our members of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce – are telling me that the stop-start approach to coming out of lockdown is more damaging than a delayed return.
"So while there will be those businesses that are affected in the very short-term by not seeing an Easter break, there are a large number of businesses that would prefer that we - once and for all - come out of this in a structured way."
Stuart also adds that there have been some good things to come out of the pandemic:
"People have realised that they can work from anywhere. You no longer need to have an expensive office block in a large major city, you can work from the beautiful South West; where ten minutes after you finish your working day, you’re already on the beach or on the Moors.
"Estate Agents are telling me they’re seeing a massive uptake in enquiries from people outside the region and I think a lot of businesses will realise that they can relocate to an area where there’s great talent, cost effective premises and a really wonderful work-life balance.
"So let’s seize that opportunity, let’s continue to use digital, but also get back to doing the in person things we love. Meeting our friends, taking advantage of all the leisure, hospitality, and tourism industries that we have in the South West and get the best hybrid of both."