Leamington business leaders call for more support during Covid-19 lockdown

Bosses are concerned at what they say is a lack of support from the Government to help stem cash flow issues that are set to afflict many businesses.

The alarm has been sounded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, which has also called for the vaccine roll-out programme to be ramped up.

Chamber chief executive Louise Bennett said: “These are extremely worrying times for everyone, and businesses which have just returned from the Christmas break will be extremely concerned by these new lockdown measures.

“As businesses, we understand the need to put health first and we have repeated that message from day one of the crisis but we also know that for our economy to eventually recover, firms must be given as much support as possible to get through this.

“We strongly urge the Government to announce a new package of realistic support for businesses which addresses the serious cash flow issues so many are experiencing.

“While the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of April is welcome, covering the ongoing costs of fixed overheads is still a huge challenge.

“Urgent support is needed so they can get through to the end of the crisis and help the UK restart, rebuild and renew as quickly as possible.

Ms Bennett added: “The Chamber network within the West Midlands has called on the Chancellor to back our businesses and use the £2 billion in returned Covid cash from major retailers to boost the desperately needed support. 

“The roll-out of the vaccine was seen as beacon of hope and saw business confidence begin to recover. That beacon of hope must now become a reality and it’s crucial that the vaccination programme is ramped up in order to see us return to a sense of normality as quickly as possible.

“The support package will be crucial in getting companies through to that time and then, and only then, will they be able to do what they do best and that is to trade, invest and grow.”