Chamber News

The Regulations

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 provide for the closure and operating restrictions of a variety of businesses. Norfolk’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards Officers, together with Norfolk Constabulary are tasked with enforcing the requirements.

These regulations were introduced to encourage all of us to stay at home and to practice social distancing when out to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The regulations allow for certain types of retail businesses to remain open. Examples include:

• Food retailers
• Pharmacies
• Newsagents
• Petrol stations
• Bicycle and car repair shops
• Homeware and hardware stores
• Pet shops

Any retail establishment permitted to remain open must adopt social distancing measures as advised by the Government. These businesses can also operate via a click and collect method to assist their customers in feeling safer when purchasing goods.

All other retail businesses that sell goods (or hire them) in a shop must cease to carry on that business. They can however, operate a delivery service resulting from online, phone or postal orders but must not allow anyone other than those necessary to carry out those activities (i.e. staff) to enter their business premises.

It is currently considered that businesses that are required to close cannot operate click and collect services from their premises.

DIY stores

As homeware and hardware shops are permitted to be open, DIY shops can remain open and/or operate click and collect and delivery services. These businesses must adopt social distancing requirements.

However, it must be remembered that anyone travelling to a DIY store needs to have a reasonable excuse to have left or be outside their home. The regulations state that a person has a ‘reasonable excuse’ where they are travelling to obtain basic necessities which include supplies for the essential upkeep, maintenance and functioning of the household (or the household of a vulnerable person). Travel for supplies is therefore likely to include the need to obtain parts to fix a plumbing or roof problem but not to collect paint and brushes for interior decorating.

Garden Centres

As the types of businesses that can remain open include food, pet food and hardware retailers, it may be that some garden centres are permitted to remain open where these goods are sold alongside more traditional garden centre products.

Businesses must adopt social distancing measures.

All customers must have a reasonable excuse to travel to the garden centre. Customers who have made the journey to purchase food or pet food and also, incidentally, buy a plant will be more likely to be deemed as having a ‘reasonable excuse’. Those who have made the journey solely to buy a tray of pansies will not.

Garden centres that are solely plant nurseries are not permitted to open as their retail business type is not listed as being allowed to remain open. They can however operate a delivery service.

If you want to report a retail business that is failing to follow national guidance you can call Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.

Further information

Find out more about which businesses should still be open visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance?fbclid=IwAR3G879q4TMKT0lrxRcWuXwxlNlcbdk0RwjmJIGxTHge1zj3IN38MMXYiJ0#businesses-and-venues-that-must-remain-closed

For support for businesses go to

www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk or call them on 0300 333 6536.

Or visit

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Commenting on UK Finance’s latest figures (30 April) on the number of firms successfully accessing CBILS, the BCC’s Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:

“While the number of firms accessing CBILS is on an encouraging upward curve, a concerningly high number of firms continue to struggle to access this crucial lifeline.

“The Bounce Back loan scheme is a welcome step toward getting cash to the smallest firms more quickly. The UK government and financial institutions should simplify and standardise the CBILS application processes to unlock access for more businesses of all sizes.

“Serious consideration must also be given to the expansion of grant schemes for firms unwilling to take on more debt repayments.”

Thank you to everyone who took part in last week’s British Chambers Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker.  Over 700 businesses across the UK, including those from Norfolk responded – making this the largest independent business survey on Covid-19 economic impacts.  

The businesses responses are helping to fill a significant gap in understanding immediate economic conditions. And both the Government and the Bank of England and the Small Business Commissioner have all been briefed on the results.

This week’s data collection is now underway from Wednesday 29 April to Friday 01 May – please do take part and help us to understand the impact on the economy both locally, regionally and nationally.

Take part now.

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal the majority of businesses surveyed ahead of changes to the scheme announced on 27 April did not intend to seek financial support through CBILS bank loans and most of those who had applied were awaiting a decision or had been unsuccessful.

While the appetite for loan support is highest amongst firms with the most urgent cash flow problems, many of these firms did not intend to access CBILS due to concerns they could not repay the loan.

• 57% of firms did not intend to apply for CBILS or other finance
• 13% of all firms who attempted to access CBILS have been successful, while a majority are still awaiting a decision or have been unsuccessful
• Of those not applying, 30% of the most cash-strapped firms say they could not re-pay CBILS loans

The leading business organisation’s weekly tracker poll, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 700 responses and is the largest independent survey of its kind in the UK. 

The fifth tranche of polling was conducted from 22 – 24 April, prior to the Chancellor’s announcement of the micro-loans scheme and further changes to CBILS on 27 April. Results in future weeks will indicate whether these changes have helped improve firms to access support.

Access to financial support

Cash reserves remain a key concern for most businesses, with 51 per cent of firms saying they have three months’ cash in reserve or less and 5 per cent of firms reporting no cash in reserve, broadly consistent with previous weeks.

When asked if they have attempted to access finance:

• 57% said they had no plans to apply;
• 20% said they had attempted to access the government’s CBILS;
• 15% said they had not yet applied but planned to; and
• 3% had attempted to access finance on conventional terms

Of the firms who had applied for CBILS:

• 48% of firms were awaiting a decision or did not know if they had been successful;
• 40% reported being unsuccessful; and
• just 13% of firms reported success to date

Some firms also report benefiting from the wider package of government support including business support grants (23%), the expansion of HMRC’s Time to Pay initiative (13%) and the three-month deferral on VAT (29%) and business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector (16%).

Finance for cash-poor firms

The data suggests demand for finance is higher among firms with three months cash in reserve or less.

Just over half of these firms (51%) have made an application for finance or intend to do so. 43% had no plans to apply.

30% of those who don’t intend to apply said they are not doing so because they say they could not pay back the loan.  26%said they already had enough finance and 23% were waiting to gain clarity on the length of lockdown measures.

This figure suggests that other policy solutions beyond loans – including wider grant schemes – may have to be considered if these firms are to continue trading.

Businesses furloughing employees

The number of firms that had furloughed a portion of their staff rose to 76% as the scheme went live. This is an increase from 71% last week and 66% the week before.

An encouraging number of firms have accessed the Job Retention Scheme’s online application portal, with 49% of firms reporting they had submitted a claim with ease. 14% had submitted a claim with difficulty and 30% had not yet made a claim but planned to.

The data revealed almost no redundancies had been made by the businesses surveyed, demonstrating the importance of the furlough scheme to preserving jobs.

Commenting on the results, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:

On access to finance:

“Our data shows loan support has not been getting to businesses fast enough, so this week’s announcement of the Bounce Back loan scheme and further improvements to the CBILS scheme are welcome steps toward getting cash to businesses on the front line.

“Application processes need to be easier, and decisions made more quickly, especially for those firms that have struggled to access CBILS loans.

“There can be no let-up in the pace of work to get cash to stricken businesses, and ministers must keep an open mind on making even more changes to the support available. It may become necessary for the government to consider grants, rather than loans, for some of our hardest-hit firms – who are concerned about taking on debt amid unprecedented economic challenges.”

On the Job Retention Scheme:

“The Job Retention Scheme has become an essential support mechanism for businesses, particularly those unable to operate during the lockdown. With companies now beginning to receive payments, HMRC deserves credit and recognition for getting the scheme up and running successfully.

“While the furlough scheme cannot be indefinite, it will need to run well beyond June 30th in some form to help businesses transition toward a ‘new normal’ as the lockdown is eased.”

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a new online learning platform –The Skills Toolkit to build skills in the UK during the Coronavirus outbreak and beyond.

The platform gives adults easy access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses at home to help them build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects. Courses on offer will help people gain skills that employers demand and help kick start the UK’s economic recovery. 

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a new 

As part of Norfolk Chambers’ #NorfolkChamberHour at 11am on Tuesday 28 April, we are partnering up with New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to check in with your favourite local businesses and make sure they don’t miss out on grants available to them – that’s the message behind the Big Small Business Check-In #bigbizcheckin.

The initiative encourages everyone to check in with local small businesses, through their websites and social media accounts. It’s an opportunity to check that owners and staff are safe and well, to show loyalty and to make sure that the business is getting the support it needs.

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, said:

“This is a really challenging time for small businesses but there is help available – including grants for small businesses and hospitality, retail and leisure firms.

“Those are being paid out directly by local authorities, but we know that a number of companies have yet to come forward and claim. By checking in and making sure your favourite local businesses are aware of the help which is out there, you could be doing them a financial favour too.

“So think about your hairdresser, your favourite coffee shop or even your dog groomer or market trader – those sort of businesses could be eligible for grants. They are still eligible if they are currently closed due to Coronavirus restrictions so make sure they know what help is out there for them, and that you’re looking forward to visiting them again in the future.”

When you check in with a local business:

• Make sure they have checked if they are eligible for a grant. All the details are online here https://newanglia.co.uk/accessing-covid-19-business-grants-through-your-local-authority/
• Make sure they have accessed free, impartial business support if they need it. They can speak to an adviser at the New Anglia Growth Hub for free on 0300 333 6536

The UK government has launched an employer referral portal allowing employers to refer essential workers for testing who are self-isolating either because they or member(s) of their household have Coronavirus symptoms. Take a look at the details and share with your members. Please note this is for England only – separate guidance has been issued in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Who can be tested?

The priority is on testing patients to inform their clinical diagnosis. In addition, testing is now being done for:

• essential workers with symptoms
• people who live with essential workers and have symptoms

This means essential workers can find out whether they have the virus, and can be helped to  return to work if they test negative. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.  See the full list of essential workers

Charities and organisations who have staff on the front-line help keep Norfolk communities safe can now access a new supply system should their PPE supplies run critically short.

Over the last few weeks Norfolk Resilience Forum (NRF) has been working hard to try and support the provision of PPE for those that need it to deliver key services.  

Following a successful public campaign, which has already resulted in more than 180 companies coming forward to support the production of most types of PPE, a new process has been put in place to help front-line services source the equipment they need.

Currently there are times when demand is currently outstripping supply and the system will ensure that supplies of items which are in short supply are directed to those organisations with the most critical need. This will be in line with the current Government guidance. It will also help charities and other local organisations who deliver vital services to communities and meet specific criteria gain access to this equipment.

Trevor Holden, Chair of the NRF’s Tactical Coordination Group, said: “This is a countywide operation involving all partners in the Local Resilience Forum.

“”Partners in the Local Resilience Forum are all working together as the NRF to ensure every single citizen in Norfolk remains safe and critical needs are met.

“This is a tremendous amount of work and I pay tribute the officers and volunteers who are going above and beyond to ensure we deliver every day.”

If you have front-line staff and you require PPE, you should:

1. In the first instance you should seek to resolve your demand through your existing supply chain.
2. Where you are unable to meet your demand through existing supply chains, visit newanglia.co.uk/ppe-supplier-database and request login details for access to the database of local suppliers.
3. In the event that you are still unable to meet your requirements and you are directly involved in the support of critical services, please contact your local council.  

Your local council will be able to pass your request on to the Norfolk Resilience Forum for consideration for emergency provision, where this is available.

Commenting on the latest UK Finance update on the number of firms successfully accessing CBILS, the British Chambers of Commerce’s Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:

“The increase in companies accessing CBILS is encouraging progress. However, the number of applications processed and approved will need to be increased significantly in what is a crunch week for firms urgently trying to access financial support.

“Our Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker tells us that a concerningly high number of businesses are still finding accessing the scheme too complex and too lengthy. The government and financial institutions must continue to work together to identify practical steps to improve the workings of the CBILS scheme to ensure that cash gets to the frontline as quickly as possible.”

Also commenting on the UK Finance update, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:

“Whilst we welcome the increased take up of the scheme, we are aware of many Norfolk businesses still trying to access the funding and that many are still awaiting lending decisions.  Businesses need access to funds now and the need for easier access and quick lending decisions is vital.” 

Coronavirus continues to have a huge impact the day-to-day operations of businesses across our region.  Norfolk Chambers stand ready to support you, but we need to understand what challenges you are facing and how well the government support initiatives are working.  Working in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, we need to hear from you about how your business is coping. In this 2-3 minute poll: Covid-19 Business Tracker – please tell us the immediate business conditions you are facing and whether your business has recently used any of the support packages from government and what your experience was.

Your input is essential to our work on behalf of the overall Norfolk business community. As a business leader, your views have never been more important.

Take the Business Tracker poll now.

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the vast majority of businesses surveyed have furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as payday approaches for many. 

• 71% of survey respondents have furloughed staff, up from 66% last week 
• Cash flow remains a significant concern for many businesses – 6 in 10 have less than three months’ cash in reserve 

The leading business organisation’s weekly tracker poll, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 678 responses and is the largest independent survey of its kind in the UK.  The fourth tranche of polling was conducted from 15-17 April.  

  Businesses furloughing employees  

Results from the fourth weekly tracker show a steady increase in the proportion of respondents furloughing staff in anticipation of the Job Retention Scheme going live on Monday 20 April. This week, the tracker indicates that 71% of firms have furloughed a proportion of their staff, up from 66% last week.  

30% said they have furloughed between 75% – 100% of their workforce.  

28% have furloughed no staff.  

Business continue to face a cash crisis, with 59% of firms reporting that they have three months cash in reserve or less. With payday approaching for many firms, the government’s Job Retention Scheme, which began accepting applications this week, has only a short time to get much-needed cash to firms facing urgent financial difficulties. 

Initial reports suggest that the online application portal is meeting business demand, and attention will now shift to whether payments reach businesses as planned within 6 working days of making an application.  

Commenting on the results, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:  

“With around 140,000 claims made on the very first day, this is a crunch week for businesses relying on the Job Retention Scheme to pay their staff. Our research suggests that over 70% of businesses will be using the furlough scheme in some form, so it’s absolutely crucial that it delivers.  

“HMRC’s capacity to deal with the demand from business has been encouraging so far – and their staff working under immense pressure to get it up and running deserve our recognition and thanks.   

“It is now critical that payments from the furlough scheme reach businesses as smoothly and as quickly as possible in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.  

“Ministers will also need to consider keeping the scheme in place for longer, to help businesses transition as the lockdown is eased and the economy moves gradually toward a new normal.”