Calls for clarity for businesses as Cornwall moves into Tier 2
Business bosses want to see a strategy for financial support
Business bosses in Cornwall are calling for more clarity as the Duchy moves into Tier 2 of the coronavirus restrictions.
From today, Boxing Day, the Duchy is placed under 'high alert' as Covid-19 cases continue to rapidly rise.
That comes with a lot of uncertainty for the hospitality and retail sectors as the government guidelines keep changing.
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce wants to see a strategy of financial support through until March 2022 that clearly sets out what help and support will be available.
"The fact that we were the only mainland place in Tier 1 was a great image for Cornwall to have, and I'm sure as far as a UK holiday destination for 2021 goes that did us no harm at all to be seen as the green and clean place.
"So I'm obviously very disappointed, it brings further restrictions to our many hospitality and retail businesses that have already been struggling, and what they need is some clarity going forward.
"It's hospitality and retail that will suffer most in March when the season starts again.
"So what I would like to see is a clear strategy laid out from the government of financial support through until the end of the next financial year, so a full plan from now until March 2022.
"Explain to businesses exactly what the strategy is, and lets deal with the worst case scenario, if it gets better than that then everybody will be pleased. But this constant changing of rules is very difficult for everybody, not least businesses to plan their short term and medium futures.
"We've got a potential problem in March, we've got VAT holidays coming to an end at the end of the financial year, we've got furlough coming to an end at the end of April and rate relief coming to an end at the same time, plus bounce back and corona business loans will start having to be repaid from June or July.
"That will put enormous pressure on businesses that are already in real problems, so lets have some clarity now, for businesses and for all of us, to plan our lives and jobs and existences through until March 2022.
"Otherwise I fear more businesses will not be up for the fight and throw their keys back to the landlord or the bank, and say we can'r do this anymore. So lets get this sorted out now."
Kim Conchie, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce