Fears firms forced to shut over key summer weeks due to Covid cases will miss out on Welsh Government support

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to provide them with financial support during these difficult periods

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Owen HughesDaily Post chief reporter

07:05, 14 JUL 2021

Many businesses in Abersoch are finding it hard to stay open, despite it being one of the busiest years, because of staff shortages and Covid-19 cases — Many businesses are finding it hard to stay open, despite it being one of the busiest years, because of staff shortages and Covid-19 cases (Image: Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)

Concerns have been raised that firms forced to close over the summer due to staff with Covid or self isolating will be left without extra support.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething AS announced a fund for July and August for businesses still closed and those suffering a major fall in earnings due to ongoing restrictions.

But applications close on July 23 and as cases continue to rise there are fears some businesses will be hit over the key summer holiday weeks but not able to access extra support.

It comes as many businesses are already struggling to recruit enough staff.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to provide them with financial support during these difficult periods.

He said in the Senedd: “One of the concerns that have been raised with me by tourism and hospitality businesses in North Wales has been the lack of financial support for those businesses whose staff are required to self-isolate.

Darren Millar (Image: Copyright Unknown)

“For example, I had a pub in my own constituency recently where one member of staff tested positive for the coronavirus and, as a result, all of the members of staff then had a contact message to say that they needed to self-isolate.

“That meant that business had to then close for the duration of the self-isolation period and had no income as it had to cancel all of its bookings, yet there is no financial support available for businesses in those circumstances.

“What consideration will the Welsh Government give to creating some sort of safety net for businesses that are in that position, particularly those small businesses like tourism operators and hospitality businesses in my constituency that have been affected in this way?”

He later added: “These businesses should not be penalised for doing what it required of them.

“They are desperately trying to get back on their feet following the most challenging 16 months they have ever faced. They are not out of the woods yet and need to be supported financially in these circumstances."

A Welsh government spokesman said: “We know how difficult the pandemic has been for businesses. Whilst there is no specific support if a business is unable to operate due to isolating staff, we have made more than £2.5bn of funding available to steer businesses through the pandemic and safeguarded over 160,000 Welsh jobs.

“This is in addition to a full 12 month rates holiday package for those in the hardest hit sectors.”

The latest round of emergency support opened for applications yesterday for businesses whose turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent.

They said they would encourage any business affected by the pandemic is to contact Business Wales in the first instance who have a wide range of support available.

A spokesman added: “The measures we have taken are in addition to those provided by the ��Ƶ Government.”