Ipswich businesses encouraged to get people back into the office
Chair of Ipswich Central wants employers to get their staff back into town centre businesses
Chair of Ipswich Central is calling on employers to get their staff back into their offices in the town centre.
With Ipswich Central’s research showing that only 27% of staff are working back in the town centre, Terry Baxter has called on all major employers, both private & public sector, for the second time.
He is encouraging businesses to lead the way in re-integrating their workforce back into their ‘physical’ offices.
Terry is Chair of Ipswich Central; the Business Improvement District (BID) for Ipswich town centre and waterfront and says that now is the “right time”.
“We made this call last year and were told that the time then was not right. Well, we are saying that now is the time to lead the way back to a town centre recovery by bringing staff back into the workplace before it is too late for many of those ancillary businesses that rely on them to be there.”
“Higher numbers of workers coming back is vital for the recovery of those businesses and services that support town centre based employees.”
On Monday (12 July), the government made their latest announcement ahead of restrictions easing on 19 July.
As part of the final easing of restrictions, people working from home will be encouraged to return to the workplace gradually.
The government said a review will take place in September to assess how prepared the country is for autumn and winter.
At the moment, it will remain a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid.
Terry said: “There is a clear sense of direction set down by the government for business and organisations to return to the workplace.
“Yes, this may well take the form of hybrid working, however the time has come for our all major employers to start get their staff back and for other town centre based business to then follow suit.
“We need to get workers back into our town centre businesses because it is vital that those businesses and services that support town centre based.
“We’re saying that now is the right time to lead the way back to town centre recovery by brining staff back into the workplace, before it’s too late for many of those ancillary businesses that rely on them to be there.