'A small step in road to economic recovery' - businesses in south Warwickshire react to the government's further relaxation of lockdown restrictions

Three viewpoints from the leisure, tourism and business sectors on what the announcement will mean for our district
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The Government's announcement today (Tuesday) on further relaxation of lockdown restrictions has been welcomed by many businesses in Warwickshire - but many are also stepping forward with caution.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the ‘two-metre’ rule is being relaxed and that some businesses in the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector can open from July 4.

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Here are three viewpoints from local businesses in the area.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

LOCAL CASE STUDY: 'We are ready to welcome back staycationers'

The owners of a boutique glamping retreat in Warwickshire say they hope a ‘surge in ‘staycationers’ will help them bounce back from a three-month lockdown that is forecast to have cost the business more than £100,000.

Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor are now ready to welcome back guests after taking comprehensive steps to make their holiday homes COVID-Secure.

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Winchcombe Farm Holidays, in Tysoe, is preparing to throw open the doors to its luxury lodges as they emerge from a damaging three-month lockdown following today’s (Tuesday's) Government announcement allowing holiday accommodation in England to reopen on July 4.

Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor at Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Tysoe.Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor at Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Tysoe.
Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor at Winchcombe Farm Holidays in Tysoe.

Steve said: “It goes without saying the last few months have been catastrophic for the tourism and hospitality sector as a whole.

"We’ve had to delay our expansion plans and have spent the last few months just fighting as hard as we could to stand still.”

The entrepreneurs received emergency support from the Government’s Hospitality Grant Scheme – which covered all their basic utility bills – plus free business rates for this year, but fell into the ten per cent of workers who didn’t qualify for any personal financial help.

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Steve said: “The business was set up as a partnership and we were self-employed. As all the profits we made are poured straight back into the company, we couldn’t claim a Self -Employed Grant. Neither could we furlough ourselves as we aren’t PAYE”.

Helen Peters, chief executive for Shakespeares England.Helen Peters, chief executive for Shakespeares England.
Helen Peters, chief executive for Shakespeares England.

Winchcombe is opening to a busy calendar of bookings and re-bookings for the summer months but fear that concerns around a possible second wave of the virus is deterring longer term enquiries.

Jo said: “We would normally have a bursting diary for the autumn months too, along with a waiting list for cancellations; however, we’re just not seeing that this year.

Certification from Visit England’s ‘Go to Good’ Scheme and the AA’s COVID Certification Scheme - both aimed at building consumer confidence in travel – should offer reassurance.

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Jo added: “The housekeeping regime between guest stays is rigorous but essential in the current climate. It includes dishwashing the entire contents of the kitchen and treating carpets and soft furnishings with virucidal disinfectant mist, with our housekeepers changing their PPE each time they enter a new room.

“We’ve had to double up on staff, spend a fortune on PPE and extend check in times, so we can complete the level of sanitary clean that is required to make us compliant.”

“There’s obviously a huge cost implication, however, it’s better to be able to open again and welcome in guests than remain closed.”

BUSINESS: 'This is a small step as we look to get the economy moving again'

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Business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire say the relaxation of lockdown restrictions are just a small step in getting the economy moving again.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the ‘two-metre’ rule is being relaxed and that some businesses in the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector can open from July 4.

From that date, venues such as pubs, restaurants, art galleries, museums and cinemas will be able to open – with restrictions – and venues will be able to hold weddings for up to 30 people.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a small step as we look to get the economy moving again but we are still some way off where we need to be in terms of building a recovery.

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“The leisure, hospitality and tourism sector is vital to Coventry and Warwickshire and while this gives many businesses in that field the opportunity to open up again, it is going to be against a backdrop of restrictions and with a great deal of uncertainty – both in terms of health and financially – among their customer-base.

“As we have said previously, this sector is going to need support in getting back on its feet and on an ongoing basis if we are going to nurture it back to its feet.

“The Government support for business during the last three months has been vital for the survival of so many firms and it must be ready to continue that help – targeting it at certain industries – as we move forward.”

British Chambers of Commerce Director General Adam Marshall said: “These steps will enable more companies to reopen and will be cautiously welcomed in our business communities.

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“While the relaxation of the two-metre rule will help more firms increase capacity, we are still a long way from business as usual. Broader efforts to boost business and consumer confidence will still be needed to help firms trade their way out of this crisis.

“A comprehensive test and trace system, including a mass testing regime, must be in place to realise the benefits that the easing of restrictions could bring to firms across the UK, many of whom are relying on the swift return of consumer confidence.

“Businesses also need a clear roadmap to recovery, including fresh support for the worst-affected sectors and geographic areas, and broader fiscal measures to get the economy moving again.”

TOURISM: 'First step to save the industry'

A major regional tourism boss in South Warwickshire is praising the government’s re-opening of attractions, restaurants and hospitality businesses as a “first step to save the industry”.

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Helen Peters, chief executive for Shakespeare’s England, the Destination Management Organisation for South Warwickshire, believes the announcement that selected hospitality and tourism businesses can open their doors on July 4 could be a last-minute lifeline for many companies.

Shakespeare’s England represents one of the UK’s tourist hotspots but one that has been hardest hit by coronavirus with Stratford-on-Avon expected to experience the fourth largest GVA decline of any area in the country.

She said: “This decision by the government to reopen museums, galleries, attractions, cinemas, pubs and restaurants is a crucial first step in saving one of the most vulnerable industries from the devastating impact of the pandemic and has probably come just in the nick of time for companies that were facing oblivion.

“However, it does need to be noted that there is a world of difference between the government announcing they are ‘allowed’ to open and many physically being able to do so, especially by 4 July.

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“There have been months of unanswered questions regarding social distancing and the two-metre distance, and how it will impact on the financial viability of businesses when they are able to reopen, and this uncertainty has made it harder for tourism businesses to plan their reopening.

“The confirmation that this will be reduced to one metre will be welcomed news for certain hospitality businesses that can now viably reopen, while still maintaining social distancing regulations.

“The new announcement today from the government provides welcome information for these businesses to now start assessing how they can viably reopen, while still maintaining the safety of customers and staff.

“It is also reassuring to hear that theatres will receive extra guidance and support on when they can safely reopen as soon as they can.

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“The health and safety of staff and visitors should still be the top priority for these businesses – ensuring that social distancing regulations and procedures are in place before opening should be on the top of the agenda.

“South Warwickshire and Stratford-upon-Avon in particular is a tourism hotspot, but as we start to re-open, our message is the same as that of many other popular UK visitor locations, encouraging people to first discover their doorstep to stay local and support the attractions and businesses in their area”.