News

Following the UK going into its third national lockdown, Exeter Chamber surveyed businesses to better understand the impact on business and need for support.

• 57% of respondents are facing a severe impact from the current restrictions, this is up 2% since the last survey taken in November.
   
• Decreased bookings /sales / demand for services (74%), event cancellation (47%), cashflow issues (41.9%) and travel restrictions to visit customers or suppliers (38%)are the main causes of impact.
   
• Furlough (63%), flexible working (56%), and diversifying product approach (55%) are the three top actions being taken/planned to help protect businesses.
   
• Over three quarter of respondents (79%) said that they would like to see more grants for small to medium businesses.

• 62% calling for longer term planning for business support.

Chamber Chair, Clodagh Murphy said: “Businesses are continuing to see severe impacts from the series of lockdowns and trading restrictions over the last year.  Owners are fatigued from continuous re-planning and need to see a roadmap from government, inline with the vaccine programme, outlining their plans to lift restrictions and what support will be available to business owners over that period.  This is vital to save otherwise viable businesses from failure.

“Locally, we urge local authorities to issue grants quickly and efficiently. The Chamber promises the business community that it will continue to press for support on their behalf and act as a conduit to get info to businesses as a matter of urgency.” 

Full survey results can be viewed HERE