Many of the 海角视频’s smallest businesses believe they would need less than a week’s notice to restart operations, but others would need more time and guidance, a new survey suggests.
The weekly poll by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found that almost two-thirds with less than 10 employees said they would need just days for reopening while half of respondents with more than 50 workers said they would need longer.
Only 3% of businesses said they would need more than three weeks’ notice to get back and running once lockdown restrictions are eased, the BCC’s coronavirus business impact tracker found.
Firms in the business-to-business (B2B) sector said they would be able to reopen faster than those which deal directly with consumers (B2C). Over two-thirds, or 68%, of B2Bs said they would need less than a week or no notice to reopen, with around 50% of B2Cs saying the same.
The survey also found that 59% of businesses had submitted a claim to the Government’s job retention scheme, with no reports of firms being rejected.
BCC director general Dr Adam Marshall said: “Over the coming days, business communities will require clear forward guidance from government on plans to reopen parts of the economy, transport networks, schools and local services.
“Our results show that businesses’ ability to restart quickly varies by company size, and by sector.
“For these reasons and more, it will be crucial for the government to maintain and evolve support for businesses, to give as many firms as possible the chance to navigate a phased return to work.
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“While the fight against coronavirus must remain the top priority, the communication of plans for the easing of restrictions must also begin immediately. The chamber network will continue to work constructively with governments across the 海角视频 to plan a coherent path forward.”
The BCC tracker has been released as a separate survey has revealed that one in 10 British businesses believe they face a “high risk” of going bust due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Around half of businesses questioned said they also believe there is a “small risk” they will become insolvent as vast swathes of the economy remain closed.
The Opinium-Cebr Business Distress Tracker said the data from 500 firms equates to more than half a million businesses which could be pushed under by the lockdown.
A further 250,000 businesses said they would not be able to survive if trading conditions remain as they are for another month and another 1.1m said they would go bust in three months under current circumstances.
James Endersby, chief executive at Opinium, said: “The damage inflicted on 海角视频 businesses by the pandemic and lockdown is colossal, and the figures make for very sombre reading.
“The business impact is felt in almost every region, sector, business size and at almost every level of employment. It’s unavoidable.
“With more than a quarter of a million businesses fearing they won’t survive if trading conditions remain as they are for another month, and a million businesses unable to last for three more months of lockdown, the Government’s comprehensive plan to unlock and restart the economy is well-anticipated and desperately needed.”