Hello from the Growth Hub!
At the time of writing, Coronavirus was beginning to spread throughout the UK, including cases reported in Gloucestershire, with clear implications for businesses.
In such a fast-moving situation, we have been really impressed at the ability of businesses to adapt. Many of the companies we see are SMEs or sole traders, and they are swiftly making arrangements to, for example, work more from home or see their clients via video link.
One business based here at the Growth Hub – Innovation Beehive – has responded by accelerating its programme of virtual delivery. This move is not just in response to Coronavirus but to reduce its carbon footprint. We were so impressed, that Innovation Beehive is running a webinar to give other businesses help and advice on how to deliver their services online
In the Budget, too, measures were announced to help businesses, including removing business rates for a year for retail, leisure and hospitality firms; £2bn of sick-pay rebates for up to two million small businesses with fewer than 250 employees; and a government-backed loan scheme. Finally, any company eligible for small business rates relief will be allowed a £3,000 cash grant – a £2bn injection for 700,000 small businesses.
We also welcome the government’s reclassification of coronavirus as a ‘notifiable disease’, which is required for many insurance policies.
And of course, the team here at Cirencester Growth Hub are on hand to help. To contact us email cirencester@thegrowthhub.biz or call 01285 889850. For more information, visit http://www.thegrowthhub.biz/cirencester.
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