The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc around the globe – and the South West of England is obviously not immune.
Businesses and organisations are calling off events right, left and centre. So Business Live is running this list on cancellations and postponements.
So please contact us with details of events and activities that are affected. And that goes for those that are rearranged too.
Brighter Business Expo
Due to take place at Plymouth’s Boringdon Park Golf Course on March 18, 2020, this annual expo has been postponed until September.
Organisers said that following consultation with venue management, exhibitors, visitors, medical practitioners and representatives from organisations it is with “great sadness” that the event is called off. The expo had 53 confirmed exhibitors, 24 speakers and 463 registered visitors,
A statement said: “We have taken the decision for the safety and wellbeing of visitors, exhibitors and venue staff to postpone the Brighter Business Expo to a future date when the threat posed to public health by the Coronavirus, Covid-19 has passed.”
It is now planned for the expo to go ahead on Wednesday, September 23, at Boringdon Park Golf Club subject to “the provision that the worst of the pandemic has passed and business is once again back to normal”.
However, there are still plans to launch the South West’s first online conference and expo on Tuesday, April 21.
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TEDxExeter
The sell-out annual TEDxExeter, due to be attended by more than 900 people, has been cancelled.
The Exeter showcase, recognised globally as a leading TEDx event and ranked the fourth TEDx in the world, was due to be held at Exeter Northcott and the University of Exeter's Alumni Auditorium on Friday, April 17.
However, organisers said it is with 'great sadness' it will no longer go ahead and a new date has been set for April 23, 2021.
Organisers are exploring virtual ways of gathering on April 17, 2020, too, however.
Building Plymouth Open Sites Week
The annual event which opens Plymouth’s key construction sites for escorted visits was due to happen between March 23 and 27 but has been postponed until the threat posed by coronavirus has passed.
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The initiative is aimed at giving young people, career changers, job seekers, and military personnel looking for an occupation once they leave the services, to visit sites and learn about the opportunities available in the industry.
Journalists have also been allowed to visit too to cover the latest developments at important construction projects.
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Plymouth Social Enterprise Network
The organisation said that following advice it has postponed strategy and research event scheduled for March 19.
A statement said: “We are very disappointed about this but the well being of people is obviously foremost in our thinking. We will rearrange as soon as the advice changes, and in the mean time please take care of yourselves and your neighbours.”
New Wave Marine
The Plymouth-based industrial cleaning contractor said it has “stringent measures” in place to reduce risks and is monitoring the situation daily but stressed “all large personnel-based meetings are on a business-critical basis only. Meetings will only take place when necessary, numbers will be kept to a minimum and individuals will be requested to sit at least one meter apart. Hand sanitiser will also be provided for use before and after the meeting”.
New Wave Marine said it has contingency plans in place should the situation arise where personnel need to work from home, to ensure business continuity.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
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Wonderzoo
The arts organisation has cancelled all public events scheduled for March 2020, including its performance event and its storytelling and performance workshop, both on on March 26.
A statement said: “WonderZoo have decided to cancel all our public events until the end of the month in light of the current pandemic.”