Chamber News

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the day-to-day operations of businesses across the UK, local Chambers of Commerce stand ready to support you. We have created a range of resources to help address your concerns which can be found below.

In this 2-3 minute Business Impacts Tracker, please tell us the immediate economic conditions you are facing, possible changes to your business investment, and what obstacles you may be facing in restarting or maintaining operations.

On a daily basis, your input from this tracker is briefed to officials and decision makers at the heart of Government to shape the response to Coronavirus.

As a business leader, your views have never been more important.

Take part today

Resources: 

Our Coronavirus hub – a regularly updated information portal for all government updates, FAQs and other relevant information. A series of interactive webinars – aimed directly at Chambers and businesses across the UK and overseas.

Commenting on the government’s five-step plan for imposing local lockdowns in the case of coronavirus spikes, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:

“Businesses will welcome the announcement of a considered approach to local lockdowns, which could pose further challenges for operational and consumer confidence in the weeks and months ahead.

“Where local lockdowns unfortunately do become necessary, firms will need greater clarity and support to help them survive further disruption.

“Transparent statistical triggers, timing and a clear exit strategy developed with input from local experts including Chambers of Commerce will help businesses plan ahead. Targeted government support should be offered to the hardest hit firms forced to close through no fault of their own.”

There have been many impacts arising from the onset of the Coronavirus, including the inability to hold physical events.  Norfolk Chambers, like many others, had to immediately cancel our physical events and, wherever we could, we moved to virtual events. 

With the lock down now starting to ease, we turned our attention to our flagship event, The B2B Exhibition, which was due to take place on 15 October 2020.  Due to the continued uncertainty around Covid-19, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone this year’s B2B.

As Norfolk’s leading business to business showcase, we want to enable as many businesses and attendees as possible to take part, but the safety of exhibitors and visitors is our number one priority, we have therefore rescheduled The B2B Exhibition for Thursday 18 March 2021.

Julie Schofield, Head of Business Partnerships of UEA who are long-term supporters of B2B said: “We are pleased that Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have made the decision to move their B2B exhibition to March 2021.  As long-term supporters of the event, we believe this is the right decision in the current uncertain climate. B2B is a crucial event in the regional business calendar, and we look forward to being able to meet face to face and network safely.”

Tracey Taylor, General Manager of First Copy Corporation Ltd and FCC Innovation who has booked their B2B exhibition stand earlier this year said: “We were happy to hear that Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has made a proactive decision to move their outstanding show to a new date next year. Here at First Copy / FCC Innovation we take the safety of our staff and customers very seriously and while we love getting out to ‘real life’ events to meet others in the B2B community we know the show will be even better in the spring. In the meantime, we’re busy doing more virtually, from events to meetings, training and installations – business continues but in ways that keep everybody as safe as possible. Here’s to getting back on the road in 2021!”

The exhibition will be once again be held at the Royal Norfolk Showground.  Anyone that had already confirmed their exhibition stand or sponsorship has automatically been transferred to the new date.  We have also extended our early bird rates until Friday 27 November, so those who want to book a stand won’t miss out on some great exhibition rates. If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring this event, then please contact Kalene Herrington, Events Coordinator on 01603 729712 or email kalene.herrington@norfolkchambers.co.uk 

More for more information about the B2B Exhibition click here. 

Commenting on the government’s announcement of quarantine-free travel with a specified list of ‘low-risk’ countries, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: 

 ”Businesses will be pleased to see the back of the UK government’s damaging blanket quarantine policy, but they will also be asking a lot of questions about its replacement. 

“It’s taken far too long for the exemption list to appear, and the fact that it does not initially apply to all four nations of the UK will put regional connectivity and regional economies at risk. Neither the process nor the outcome inspire confidence, either here at home or with our partners globally.  

“While these changes will give some businesses a fighting chance to make up for months of lost income, the job is not yet done. This isn’t just about summer holidays. Ministers need to focus on restoring connections and confidence with key trading partners all across the world.”  

An ambitious plan to get the economy of Norfolk and Suffolk back on its feet in the wake of Covid-19 has been launched.

It contains an unprecedented package of measures to be delivered by partners locally and nationally to get businesses up and trading again, restore business, consumer and community confidence, and support to those who do lose their jobs.

The pandemic brought the economy to a standstill, with thousands of businesses unable to trade and almost 200,000 workers in the two counties placed on furlough.

Now as the lockdown is eased, a series of interventions are needed to help businesses and individuals hit by the economic impact of the virus.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Recovery Restart Plan will complement local ones being developed at county and district levels and feed into the Government’s national recovery plan.

It will be critically important as research by New Anglia LEP has shown that in a worst-case scenario, unemployment in Norfolk and Suffolk could hit 200,000 before the end of the year.

Measures which underpin the plan of action include:

• Advice and finance for businesses. Ensure every business has access to the finance and support they need, delivered through a new alliance of local authorities, New Anglia Growth Hub, business representative organisations and trade bodies.
• Digitisation. A major campaign to support businesses to build their online presence and improve productivity and flexible working through better use of technology.
• Responding to redundancies. A support programme for those being made redundant and help for businesses looking for workers through a new local partnership of businesses and local and national agencies.
• Supply chain. The development of a supply chain matching service to help local companies capitalise on opportunities to sell more goods and services locally.
• Transforming skills. A series of programmes to ensure every individual has the chance to reskill and upskill.
• Visitor economy. A proactive campaign to promote the area as a destination and support businesses in the tourism, hospitality and cultural sectors, as they reopen.
• Infrastructure. Support the construction sector through continued investment in key infrastructure and make the case to Government for accelerated funding for major projects.

More than 100 different organisations and groups and almost 700 individuals contributed to the LEP’s draft plan after it was shared with local authorities, education providers, industry and sector groups, MPs, and other stakeholders.

The plan also has the endorsement of the Chambers of Commerce in both Norfolk and Suffolk and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Doug Field, chair of the LEP, said: “Getting the economy back on its feet will not be achieved by one partner alone or by one strand of investment or actions. The economy is most successful when we work together for the benefit of the people who live, learn and work in Norfolk and Suffolk.

“One size will not fit all, and the plan will need to reflect local circumstances and priorities in different areas. We also need to be agile in our approach, so we can switch from recovery to response mode in the event of further lockdowns or to respond to potential issues caused by the ending of Government support packages.”

New Anglia LEP has been at the forefront of the region’s efforts to combat the economic effect of Covid-19. A £3.5m Business Resilience and Recovery Scheme has been introduced to support short-term business resilience projects and longer-term recovery and diversification projects.

The LEP has also coordinated the production and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and promoted job vacancies in key sectors such as food production and health and social care via its website and social media channels.

The Restart phase of the Recovery Plan will cover the immediate 12 months as public spaces and premises are reopened amid social distancing and other public safety guidelines. This will be a ‘live plan’ which is regularly updated to reflect changing circumstances and the latest business intelligence.

It will look at how specific sectors such as tourism, energy and agri-food have been impacted by the pandemic and the skills and employment interventions that are required due to changes to the labour market.

In 2021, the Restart plan will be replaced by a plan to Renew the economy, which builds on the Economic Strategy and Local Industrial Strategy and responds to long-term changes brought about by Covid-19.

Councillor Andrew Proctor, Chair of the Norfolk Public Sector Leaders Group, said: “The last few months have been very hard on local businesses and the LEP’s plan, as the umbrella plan for the County Council and District Councils in Norfolk, is the start of decisive action to get our economy back on its feet.

“Taking this forward is now all about the public and private sectors working together so we can restart and renew our county’s economy and support all our businesses that are its backbone.”

Chris Sargisson, chief executive of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said Coronavirus had had an “unprecedented impact” on the county’s business community. However, with the right collaborative support and advice, businesses had the ability to “be flexible and adaptable to think and do differently”.

“There is a new normal for business and if we work together under a well-managed and resourced economic recovery plan, then I believe we stand the best chance of restarting our economy, saving jobs and putting our many brilliant businesses back on the trajectory of growth,” he said. 

Corrienne Peasgood, Principal Of City College Norwich and New Anglia LEP Board and Skills Advisory panel member, said: “The impact on our economy of the COVID-19 crisis demands a recovery plan which works for everyone, across all sectors, and delivering for every part of the region. The Further Education colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk endorse this Economic Recovery Restart Plan and we’re committed to playing our part in delivering it.

“Education and training, including retraining and upskilling, will be vital in mitigating the impact on individuals, communities and businesses. Further Education can help everyone – from school-leavers to job-seekers – build the skills they need to support our businesses in recovery.”

Claire Cullens, chief executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “From the very beginning of this crisis, our local charities have stepped up and responded to support our most vulnerable communities. However, the impact of the crisis has left many of these organisations financially unstable and fearful of collapse.

“The voluntary sector is embedded across all our communities and will continue to play a critical role in our successful recovery. It is these VCSE organisations that will support the many through personal trauma, as well as helping to build confidence and skills for those trying to navigate a new and changing labour market.  

“To rise to these challenges, the VCSE needs support and to work in closer equitable partnerships with both the public and private sector. This Restart plan identifies a clear, tangible way forward to strengthen and develop VCSE resilience. Achieving this will allow us to strengthen our communities from the bottom up.”

To read the full Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Recovery Restart Plan and evidence base, visit https://newanglia.co.uk/covid-economic-recovery/

Commenting ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech in the West Midlands, in which he will announce a ‘New Deal for Britain’, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“The infrastructure delivery plans announced by the Prime Minister are welcome, but they must take shape on the ground swiftly to give a real confidence boost to businesses and communities.

“The government must go even further over the coming days to rekindle business and consumer confidence, as part of a wider roadmap to economic recovery. This is a critical moment, and business communities need this government to be bolder than any previous government has ever been.

“In his first inaugural speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘We must act, and act quickly’. The same holds true in Britain today.”

On 23 June 2020, the Prime Minister announced further easements of the Coronavirus restrictions as part of Step Three of the government’s plan to return life to as near normal as we can. This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.

In addition, all businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July, except for the list below, which remain closed by law:

• Nightclubs
• Casinos
• Bowling alleys and Indoor skating rinks
• Indoor play areas including soft-play
• Spas
• Nail bars, beauty salons and tanning salons
• Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
• Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
• Swimming pools including water parks
• Exhibition or conference centres must remain closed for events such as exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for the business or organisation who run the venue.

Cafes, restaurants and shops that are self-contained and can be accessed from the outside, will still be permitted to open.

The UK government will continue to phase reopening and hope to reopen other close-contact businesses as soon as possible.

All other businesses and venues can reopen from 4 July. Examples are available here including links to guidance to ensure their safe-reopening.

Reopen your business safely during Coronavirus

Employers that want to reopen their business have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site. Use this UK government guidance to help you carry out a risk assessment and make sensible adjustments to the site and workforce.

• If you do not carry out a risk assessment, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local council can issue an enforcement notice.
• Employees can use this guidance to check what their workplace needs to do to keep people safe.
• This guidance is only for businesses that are allowed to reopen in England.

Working safely during Coronavirus

People and employers should stay safe in public spaces and workplaces by following the government’s “Working safely during Coronavirus” guidelines. This should enable more people to go back to work, where they cannot work from home, and encourage more vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to go to school or childcare as already permitted.

Shops in England selling non-essential goods can now re-open provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible. The government issued detailed COVID-19 secure guidance for retailers and other sectors. Businesses should display a downloadable notice to inform customers and staff they have followed COVID-secure guidance.

Following earlier easements in May and June, from the 4 July, further businesses and venues will be allowed to open. For further details, please see the section on Official guidance from UK government.

A £1m per year fund to boost community schemes in Norfolk in the wake of Covid-19 has been launched by the county council.

Known as the Social Infrastructure Fund, it will provide grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 to groups wishing to invest in community facilities – including adaptations required to ensure social distancing.

Council leader, Councillor Andrew Proctor, said: “Community groups have played a sterling role in supporting Norfolk throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

“This new, annual fund will help them to strengthen our communities, by providing support for local buildings and facilities.”

To ensure the fund reaches as many groups as possible, the county council expects groups to include a financial contribution towards the overall costs of their proposals, which could come from other grants, loans or fundraising.

Details of how to bid are available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/socialinfrastructurefund

Examples of previous community schemes supported by the county council include a £500,000 investment in community sports facilities through the Community Sports Foundation at The Nest and £500,000 for EACH’s palliative care centre for children, in Framingham Earl.

The new fund is included in this year’s £282 million capital budget approved in February 2020.

More pubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to serve customers outdoors in plans announced by the government.

• The government will simplify and reduce the costs of the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls, making it easier for people to safely drink and dine outside. 
• Proposed planning freedoms will mean that outdoor markets, pop-up car-boot sales or summer fairs will not need a planning application.
• Pubs and restaurants will be able to use car parks and terraces as dining and drinking areas, using their existing seating licenses.
• Temporary changes to licensing laws will allow many more licensed premises, such as pubs and restaurants, to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Customers will be able to buy their drinks from a pub and consume them elsewhere, making social distancing easier.

These measures will give an immediate and much needed boost to many businesses, whilst supporting them to successfully reopen over the summer. Find more here.

In line with phased changes to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers should review the updated employer guidance provided by The Pensions Regulator.

The guidance includes information on how to treat furloughed workers who are returning to work part-time and what to do if an employer is struggling to pay contributions.

From August, employers will need to fund pension contributions and National Insurance contributions for staff.

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of further easing of Coronavirus restrictions from July 4 in England, including the reopening of culture, tourism and leisure venues as well as a relaxation of the two-metre rule, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:

“These steps will enable more Norfolk companies to reopen and will be cautiously welcomed by our business community.

“While the relaxation of the two-metre rule will help more firms increase capacity, we are still a long way from business as usual. Broader efforts to boost business and consumer confidence will still be needed to help firms trade their way out of this crisis.

“A comprehensive test and trace system, including a mass testing regime, must be in place to realise the benefits that the easing of restrictions could bring to firms across the UK, many of whom are relying on the swift return of consumer confidence.

“Our businesses also need to see a clear roadmap to recovery from the government, including fresh support for the worst-affected sectors and geographic 

A new code provides support to shops and local firms planning their future recovery with their landlord.

• The UK government has extended measures to prevent struggling companies from eviction over the summer.
• A new code of practice has been developed with leaders from the retail, hospitality and property sectors to provide clarity for businesses when discussing rental payments and to encourage best practice so that all parties are supported.
• The Coronavirus Act will extend the time period for suspension of the forfeiture of evictions from June 30 to September 30, meaning no business will be forced out of their premises if they a miss a payment in the next three months.
• Secondary legislation to prevent landlords using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery unless they are owed 189 days of unpaid rent. The time period for which this measure is in force will be extended from June 30 to September 30.

An amendment to the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill has been tabled which will extend the temporary ban on the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions where a company cannot pay its bills due to coronavirus until 30 September. Find out more here.