CUMBRIA Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Government to plug critical gaps in Coronavirus support for businesses.
Its online survey – completed by more than 300 businesses – shows that some aren’t getting the help they need and are at risk of going under if the lockdown continues.
Among the gaps identified are:
· Businesses that rent space in a large building can’t claim the £10,000 grant for small firms because they don’t pay business rates directly;
· Businesses that supply the hospitality sector, such as food wholesalers, have seen trade collapse but don’t qualify for the £25,000 grants paid to hospitality businesses;
· The newly self-employed don’t qualify for the income support scheme, because they haven’t yet filed accounts, or receive very little because payments are calculated on early years’ trading when profits are often minimal;
· Director-owners who take the bulk of their income as dividends cannot furlough themselves, nor do they qualify for the support for the self-employed.
Chamber Chief Executive Rob Johnston said: “I’d like to thank the businesses that completed our survey because it is providing invaluable intelligence.
“We’re feeding this through to the British Chambers of Commerce, which is lobbying the Government.
“We’ve already had successes. Changes to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, which came in on Monday, will make it easier for businesses to access these loans.”
He added: “The most worrying finding from our survey is that 38 per cent of businesses say they can carry on for only three months if the restrictions remain in force, while another 35 per cent believe they would go under within six months.
“It’s absolutely vital that the Government refines and enhances its package of support if the lockdown continues.”
The Chamber’s Coronavirus survey remains open. Businesses can complete it online at https://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/news/28108-complete-our-coronavirus-survey
Meanwhile, Rob has written to Cumbria Chamber’s 1,500 member businesses to offer them the option of suspending their membership fees temporarily.
His letter says: “I’d ask those of you who are genuinely able to pay your subscription when it next falls due to do so.
“For those of you who can’t do this, because of the impact the current crisis is having on your business, we’re offering you a payment holiday of, initially, three months.
“These are immensely difficult times and it’s important that the Chamber continues to provide crucial services. We’re here to help businesses recover and succeed moving forward.”
The Chamber’s Coronavirus Toolkit has a wealth of guidance for businesses at https://www.cumbriachamber.co.uk/news/27976-coronavirus-what-businesses-need-to-know
