Town’s companies adapt amid ‘turbulence’ and ‘panic’

The Government has released new guidance for companies as it published its roadmap to end the lockdown on Monday.

For some, the latest information from Westminster will offer much-needed hope as attention shifts to acclimatising to a ‘new normal’.

While business for some industries has been brought to a halt under the lockdown, the restrictions have increased demand for others.

Custom workwear supplier Bubble Customised Clothing is among many of the town’s firms that have had their work cut out.

While working remotely away from the usual base at Palatine Industrial Estate, off Causeway Avenue, staff have seen demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) surge during a ‘turbulent’ period.

After obtaining supplies in China, the firm has imported more than 500,000 items of PPE for customers, mainly Warrington Borough Council.

It comes as the majority of its workforce is on furlough, with employees temporarily cut from 10 to two.

Managing director Sam Wareing, from Latchford, said: “We had to adapt and look elsewhere to bring those volumes of PPE in.

Wire forward Mike Cooper with business partners Sam Wareing and John Welch

“PPE usually could be around 10 per cent of our business, now you could say it is around 90 per cent as other parts of the business have dried up.”

But Mr Wareing, aged 32, thinks the ‘finger of blame’ has been pointed at firms, such as Bubble Customised Clothing, as people believe they are ‘profiteering’ from the situation.

He also says the suppliers in China have been responsible for ‘ridiculously’ increasing prices as demand soars across the globe in a market he labelled as the ‘wild, wild west’.

“Don’t get me wrong, we are a business and we are making money, but we are working to a considerably lower margin than we had previously,” he added.

The Government and Warrington Borough Council are playing their part in ensuring businesses in the town can survive amid the pandemic.

Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter has welcomed the news that a further £600 million is being allocated by the Government to support small businesses in towns like Warrington. They will be able to apply for grants up to £25,000.

Mr Carter thanked Chancellor Rishi Sunak for ‘listening’ to his concerns.

While the council is taking steps to support self-employed people in the borough who are struggling financially due to the Covid-19 crisis.

It has extended its local welfare support scheme – usually aimed at residents who are facing short-term financial hardship – to self-employed people.

Leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “We are doing all we can to support every single one of our businesses and ensure that no one slips through the net.”

Cllr Russ Bowden

The motor industry has been significantly hit over recent weeks but there is hope ahead following the latest Government guidance.

Chapelhouse Motor Group – which has a Kia car dealership, on Milner Street, and Suzuki dealership, on Folly Lane – closed all of its sites after the lockdown was announced on March 23.

However, it is looking at opening three sites next week, including the Kia dealership.

Richard Lauriston, head of sales at Suzuki Warrington, said: “We will be looking at gradually opening some of our aftersales sites to gauge whether customers feel comfortable to come in.

“The biggest factor is the confidence of the public – there are obviously certain things we need to ensure are in place, including sanitising cars and social distancing. We will have measures over and above the Government’s requirements.

“I think any business that can’t see this through for two or three months, particularly with what is happening with the support from Government and manufacturers, was probably vulnerable anyway.

Richard Lauriston

“We will probably come back in slightly different sizes and numbers of staff in the short term.

“It will be pretty much market driven, which will be driven by consumer confidence, so I don’t think you’ll see a lot of businesses closing.

“I think most are financially strong enough to see out this short period because of the good support from Government and manufacturers.”

During the lockdown, many companies have switched attention to the digital world as they look to minimise the impact of Covid-19.

Digital transformation agency Carpe Diem, which launched in 1999, has been helping firms transition into a new way of working amid the panic.

Chief executive Bill Carr, aged 43, has relished the new challenges despite the colossal level of pressure.

Bill Carr

But the dad-of-one, from Grappenhall Heys, admits he has been required to sacrifice a ‘massive amount’ of family time.

“Opus, where we are based, closed with virtually no notice a few days before the official start of the lockdown and we have been dealing with furlough, grants and customers like everybody else,” he said.

“What we have been doing is supporting lots of clients, we’ve been busy in terms of helping clients get through this time with free consultation and advice.

“We are giving clients advice over what they can do digitally amid the panic they’re facing.

“We’ve had a period of six to eight weeks where people have been taking stock and the ones that will come out of this the strongest are the companies that have adopted a ‘how do I make this an opportunity going forward’ mentality.

“I do think this is a global digital transformation event that people have to embrace.”

The borough councillor who chairs the supporting the local economy committee has reflected on the ‘heartbreaking’ discussions with businesses facing major difficulties.

Cllr Tom Jennings also issued a stark warning firmly aimed at figures in Westminster.

Cllr Tom Jennings

He said: “It has been heartbreaking to hear from small businesses, who are seriously struggling through no fault of their own.

“Where the council and our partners can assist, we will do all we can but Government needs to step up – it must provide a second round of financial support for businesses who will be closed for longer.

“Failing to do so will worsen the recession and put entrepreneurs and their employees needlessly onto welfare. I have total confidence in the perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit of our businesses but being self-employed myself, I know what they’re feeling – the uncertainty, the anxiety, the unknown.”

Furthermore, Cllr Jennings confirmed that, through Warrington’s Business Improvement District (BID), a ‘recovery plan’ is being put forward with policy recommendations set to go to cabinet.

It comes as the BID team surveys consumers on their feelings over the town centre and supporting shops once the lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Warrington town centre

BID manager Harriet Roberts said: “As businesses prepare to reopen, adhering to Government’s guidelines, this is a chance to test the confidence of customers and to gather support.

“Life has changed and there may be opportunities to do things differently.”

Fears are mounting over a lengthy recession for the country as the economy takes a major hit due to Covid-19.

Businessman Paul Taylor, who is the managing director of Taylor Estates, as well as vice chair of Cheshire Business Leaders and director of Warrington Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has shared his views on the developing situation.

The Glazebury man said: “As with any crash, it’s those who are out of the gate first when it’s over that tend to do well.

Paul Taylor

“We’re lucky to have a good support system with the council and the Government via the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub, so we can hopefully get ourselves off to a good start but things are going to be very different for a very long time.

“Our businesses need to be prepared for the return to work and key to this will be making sure they are looking after their employees and their clients, all of whom are still at risk while this pandemic marches on.

“The last thing we want to do though is to return to work en masse without it being safe to do so, as a second peak of infections arriving while we’re all working in busier environments would put as back to square one in no time.”

Cllr Bob Barr, leader of the town’s Liberal Democrats, believes the decision to lockdown the UK was ‘relatively straightforward’ but claims the latest Government guidance is of ‘little help’.

“In Warrington, businesses, the voluntary sector, council employees and the care and health professionals responded impressively,” he said.

“In particular much has been done, successfully, to protect the most vulnerable.

Cllr Bob Barr

“However, coming out of the crisis is going to be much harder.

“Warrington businesses, carers and individuals are being told, effectively, to assess the risk themselves and follow ‘common sense’.

“We fear that the most economically and physically vulnerable will find that hardest to do and will suffer as a result.”

And Lyndsay McAteer, leader of Warrington and Halton Green Party, says she thinks the impact of the pandemic will be felt for a long time to come.

“I think it is important that the economic recovery is a green one and one that focusses on achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and promoting health and wellbeing for all,” she said.

“We need to continue to work together as a community and help each other.

Lyndsay McAteer​

“The post-pandemic economy in Warrington needs to work for everyone.

“A Green New Deal would create thousands of jobs.”

Messages from the Government over businesses returning to work have been confusing and created a lack of certainty, says the council’s chief executive.

Steven Broomhead also believes firms will need to make their own decisions around how to interpret the latest guidance.

Steven Broomhead

He said: “I think the Government’s support measures for businesses, particularly the furlough scheme and around business rates relief, have been really welcome and have given oxygen to, particularly, small to medium-sized businesses who otherwise would not have had it.

“I think some of the other messages over the weekend about returning to work have been confusing and have created a lack of certainty. I would say it is a bit of a mixed picture overall.”

Labour’s Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols has been contacted by a number of companies worried about how they would ‘make it through to the end of the week, let alone further ahead’.

She claims the latest Government information raises ‘as many questions as it does answers’.

MP Charlotte Nichols

“Many will be wondering if they can reopen and how they can do so safely protecting their employees and the public,” she added.

“For businesses in sectors such as hospitality, which are expected to be among the last to start resuming trade, what we have seen so far will be of little comfort.”

But Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter has defended ministers.

He said: “At all stages, the Government has been guided by the science when making critical decisions about the country’s public health.

MP Andy Carter

“As part of our first step to actively encourage people to go back to work, where they can’t work from home, ministers have published detailed guidance and practical ways to make workplaces as safe as possible.

“New Covid-19 secure guidelines are now available to UK employers and employees, covering different workplace settings ranging from construction to factories and offices to shops.”

Hidden in the midst of the tragedy and despair behind coronavirus are inspirational examples of community spirit.

Despite facing ever-increasing disruption, businesses have stepped up and played their part in supporting those on the front line in the battle against the new illness.

Sam Malik manages Indian restaurant The Cottage, on Church Street, as well as the Jathra restaurants in Northwich and Handforth.

But with the sites now only open for takeaways, his teams have been dishing up free meals for staff at Warrington Hospital, Macclesfield Hospital and Rob and His Angels, which feeds vulnerable people.

Sam Malik dropping food off at Warrington Hospital

Around 800 meals have been provided so far.

Oldham man Sam, aged 43, says the aim of the selfless initiative is to keep community spirit high.

But he expressed fears over the future for firms in the industry.

He said: “People will still have takeaways but it is not going to be as often.

“I think there will be a huge financial calamity but in the meantime, while we are there, we want to support in whichever way we can.”

Altum HR, one of the region’s leading human resources consultancy firms, has experienced a ‘busier than ever’ period amid the pandemic.

Founder Josie Broadstock said: “With the situation changing and evolving every day we have to react and respond immediately.

Josie Broadstock

“The advice that we issue is for businesses as a whole – not just our clients.”

But she says there has been ‘general confusion’ about the Government’s furlough scheme and its management.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the furlough scheme will be extended by four months to October, with workers continuing to receive 80 per cent of their current salary up to £2,500 a month.

But he said companies will be asked to start ‘sharing’ the costs.

Snoutwood Trotters in Great Sankey has been ‘overwhelmed’ by demand after introducing a new online system and drive-through collection service.

The free-range pedigree pig farm and butchery at Laburnum Farm has been required to significantly change its business model after adapting to life amid Covid-19.

Couple Bex Scott and Liam Tickle, who run the company, have lost around six months of catering bookings.

Couple Bex Scott and Liam Tickle

And they introduced £10 and £20 meat packs to ‘streamline’ the service.

Bex said: “We decided to set up a temporary website purely for orders of the packs, which goes live each week at the same time.

“The first time we launched it, it crashed, purely because of how many people were trying to access it at once.

“Since we got our head around the orders website, it has helped us make the ordering process simple for us and hopefully it is the fairest way to operate for everyone else.

“We also set up a drive-through system on the farm so when people do come to collect they stay in the car – and we put the order in the boot for them and take a contactless card payment.”

With catering bookings cancelled for around six months, Bex says she knew Snoutwood Trotters needed to do something different.

“It has been hard to adapt but I think, finally, we are getting into a good system,” she added.

“We have just been overwhelmed by the demand really.”