Business leaders in the Bristol region are calling for clarity on the Government's tier system and more financial support as the city moves to the highest level of restrictions following the end of England’s national lockdown today.
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have been placed in Tier 3 after a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the region in recent weeks. Before lockdown, the three local authorities were still in Tier 1.
But there are concerns among the business community that not enough financial support is being given to areas placed under the tightest restrictions.
James Durie, managing director of South West-based chamber of commerce Business West, has criticised the Government’s tier system, which he says has “some major flaws”.
“There seems to be so many inconsistencies,” he said. “People are struggling to understand. This is a marathon - not a sprint - and the Government needs to realise that our local health teams and NHS are being pushed right to the limit.”
Mr Durie believes mass testing in Bristol would give businesses “greater confidence”. He has also called on the business community to continue following Government guidance.
'This virus will not take Christmas off'
“We must not let our guard down,” he said. “Even though people are fed up and ground down by the situation, business has to find the balance between health and economic trading.
“Businesses have been finding new ways to ensure they don’t put their people in positions of risk. But there is a real risk of fatigue. Sustaining the ongoing effort is a real challenge - both physically and for people’s mental health and well being.”
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He added: “My message to business is that I feel although we are still in the middle of the pandemic, there is now some light at the end of the tunnel. We are in the home straight but that home straight will be quite long.
“But over the Christmas period, people will need to think very carefully how they celebrate. I am afraid this virus will not take Christmas off.”
'We face Armageddon in 2021'
Bristol entrepreneur Stephen Fear, founder of property group Fear, believes the business community is facing “Armageddon” in 2021 unless more support is provided.
He said: “I have been saying since April that the economy will not be able to keep borrowing endlessly at these levels.
“It seems that the private sector is taking the brunt of it at the moment. I don’t know of any public sector layoffs and many are actually getting pay rises which seems inequitable when many businesses are facing financial ruin. Many working in the private sector are front line too.
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“The Government will have to support business to a far greater extent or we face Armageddon in 2021. Unless more support is given over Christmas, pubs and restaurants, and other hospitality businesses simply won’t be there to serve people when we finally beat the virus.
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“The way to help the economy is by supporting those who create jobs and prosperity, and that is primarily the private sector.
“The public sector spends money whereas the private sector makes it. Both are crucial to a well-rounded society but we must remember that without business there will be no way of paying all this borrowing back. Where will we be then?”
'Certain sectors are being left to crumble'
Anthony Smith, of Bristol-based exhibition display and stand company ADB Exhibitions, says his biggest concern is a lack of targeted support across industry.
He said: “It is plain to see that different industry sectors are facing different challenges, but both central government and local councils take a one-size-fits-all approach.
“There needs to be proper consultation - or at least a means to talk with council representatives - about individual circumstances. I appreciate the huge undertaking this would be, but certain sectors are being left to crumble while others thrive."
Mr Smith says in order for the region to exit Tier 3, there needs to be "clear and blunt" messaging on how the restrictions work.
He added: “Many people are still confused as to what they can and can’t do and as a result, Covid is still being spread.”
'Business is facing a long slog'
Catherine and Graham Rogers, the owners of a North Somerset cleaning franchise OvenGleamers, believe business is facing a “long slog”.
The pair, who have been running their Pill-based company for 10 years, said local people need to understand the only way businesses can trade again is to exit Tier 3 and get the positive rates down.
Catherine said: “We need to appeal to people's sense of community spirit to help us get out of this because the quicker we can persuade people not to break the rules and spread the virus, the quicker life can be back to normal for all of us.”
She added: “Bristol needs to persuade us as a community to look out for one another. We might need to make the best of the Christmas season, but more importantly we need to explain to people how dangerous this pandemic still is.
"It's not going away quickly. I'd simply say to Bristol to come together, help one another and let's keep our city great."