Wigan business leaders demand more support if restrictions remain

Businesses across Wigan and St Helens are anticipating this evening's prime ministerial announcement on whether the next easing of coronavirus restrictions will go ahead.

Step four of the government's 'roadmap out of lockdown' was scheduled to take place next Monday (June 21st) at the earliest but reports suggest it's highly unlikely that will now be the case.

Rising coronavirus cases across the country driven by the new Delta variant of the virus, first identified in India, is thought to have made ministers hesitant about the next easing of restrictions.

The prime minister has said he wants a "cautious but irreversible" easing of the restrictions.

What would June 21st mean?

Although more detailed plans are yet to be announced, originally the government had hoped "to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact" next week.

When the roadmap was first announced they also added: "We hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3."

Rob Downes is from the Greatest Manchester Federation of Small Businesses, he agrees that the prospect of more restrictions being lifted is very unlikely:

"What's it going to mean for us here in Greater Manchester?"

"I can't see the government changing their advice in Greater Manchester."

They would be saying - 'Okay, well we've given it a week and we're out of these new advice measures."

"For Great Manchester at least, I think that's out of the window."

He added, that if the easing of restrictions is paused, it's vital more support for businesses comes at the same time:

"Businesses, they like certainty." He said.

"If a business can run without making too much money, just taking cash but not actually making a profit, we've got business rates resuming on July 1st and we've heard anything so far about whether it's going to be any financial compensation."

"If the government doesn't put its hand in its pocket. I think it's a disgrace actually."

"I think businesses in Manchester deserve better than that."

"We've been one of the worst-hit regions across the country in terms of lockdown and restrictions".

"This is just regular, terrible Groundhog Day."

The prime minister is due to announce the decision in a televised briefing this evening.

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