Peterborough businessman calls on government for more support

Speaking to local broadcaster Paul Stainton in the latest of his ‘Lockdown Interviews’ in association with the Peterborough Telegraph, Mr Pearce, founder and managing director of Pearce Hire said: “We were in line for a record breaking year up until March.. then Covid 19 came along and changed everything.

“In the space of four weeks £2m [worth of business] went and since then a further £500,000.”

Pearce Hire is one of the UK’s leading specialists in providing lighting, audio, rigging and power distribution services to outdoor, corporate and special events as well as concert and touring.

Mr Pearce has built the business from a one man operation to a major organisation based at Reynolds Industrial Park, Stevern Way, Peterborough.

Currently the company has 24 staff furloughed and he does not anticipate business recovering until next year.

He has highlighted the issue of businesses like his which ‘fall through the gaps’ and is not eligible for support grants or rates relief because it doesn’t open its doors to the public.

Pearce Hire was announced as the winner of the 2020 Favourite Power Supply Company at this year’s TPi Awards.

The team’s win at the glittering awards ceremony held at Battersea Evolution in February came after being shortlisted a number of times in recent years.

Now Mr Pearce said his company and many like it face a battle to survive and called for the government to offer more support.

“We can survive, “ he said. “I’d be more confident if we had more support.”

Listen to the full interview here.