Peterborough bosses call for Prime Minister to act swiftly to revive economy after lockdown

Business leaders are also urging Boris Johnson to keep support measures in place to give many businesses time to get back on their feet after enforced lockdown closures.

And there is a call for a workplace testing strategy for all businesses, an acceleration of the vaccination programme and a warning to the Prime Minister to ensure he does waste sacrifices made so far and risk a return to a fourth lockdown.

Their demands come as Mr Johnson prepares to reveal tomorrow his long-awaited Recovery Roadmap - a timetable to lifting the restrictions that have been in place since the third national lockdown began closing many pubs, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, many shops and forcing people to stay at home.

Paul Holt, managing director of 3D printing specialists Photocentric, in Oxney Road, said: “The Government needs to balance the voices it is listening to with the other side, representing business and families with children at home.

“Schools must go back to alleviate the problems at home of monotonous containment and the pressures on working parents with children not in full time education who they are forced to look after.

“On the business side, there must be a relaxation of the rules to widen the sectors that can trade.

“It is hard to make anything happen in the country at present.

“We can’t have visitors in, put people in hotels, entertain in restaurants or do anything other than a minimal existence.

“Companies are not planning to do anything new. We can only manufacture for today, but not research for tomorrow.

“Some staff seem so petrified of imminent death they fear coming back into the building because of the Government’s massive advertising scare campaign, this has to end now.

He said: “The message must be go back to a new normal of a safe working experience.”

Jo Bevilacqua, owner of hair and beauty salon Serenity Loves, in Oundle Road, said: “I am hoping that we get clear guidance from the Prime Minister as to when we are able to reopen, what is expected from us when we do, and what continuous financial support will be offered to those businesses that still will not be able to open in our pre-Covid capacity.

She said: “As a business that has been shut more than we have been open in the last year, it has been a tough year for our business, our employees and our clients and if it is safe to do so I am hoping we can open as soon as possible.

“But we also need to have enough notice to be able to prepare the team and ensure that we have time to get all we need to do to get our clients booked and recruit new hairdressers and apprentices to join our team, which has all been impossible to do without clear guidance.

She added: “I am also hoping that the furlough scheme will be extended as that has been detrimental to our business surviving during this time, and if it doesn’t I am worried not only for my business but the other thousands of businesses in our industry.

“Above all we need clear leadership, clarity in the roadmap and expectations of us and confirmation that once we open we will remain open.”

Andrew Burgess, Agricultural Director at fresh produce grower and supplier Produce World, in Yaxley, said: “As regards the roadmap, all we crave is certainty.

“Our demand will gradually return to normal as lockdown eases and people start to eat out again.

“It will need some planning, particularly in the farming operations and crop planning.

“We have suffered increased operating costs but we have not suffered like many businesses in different sectors.

Mr Burgess added: “As a large responsible business in the critical food supply sector we have continuously reviewed Government guidance and modified our work practices with the help and approval of the Health and Safety Executive.

“Many of the admin functions have been operating remotely but factory operations have been operating for nearly 12 months at elevated levels of demand.

“We have broken the workforce down into smaller operating bubbles, staggered start, finish and break times as well as lots of other practical measures to maintain social distance.

“We have not had any work place transmission of Covid to date.

“We are very proud of the way the teams have performed during the pandemic under difficult circumstances.”

Adrian Posnett, managing director of brewers Oakham Ales, in Maxwell Road, Peterborough, said: “Obviously we’re extremely keen to see our pub customers re-open their businesses and for ourselves to resume brewing flat-out again to meet demand.

“But having battled through the huge difficulties caused by the hospitality sector being closed for much of the last 11 months, the last thing the industry needs is further lockdowns after the current period finally ends.

“So having come this far, we would perhaps caution against any rushed relaxation of the current regulations.

“It’s vital that the government get the timing and pathway right this time otherwise an already devastated industry will have very little chance of recovery.”

John Bridge, chief executive of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the last year has taken a heavy toll on businesses across the UK.

“With cash flow still the top concern, it is vital that the UK government keeps financial support going until firms can reopen and rebuild.

“Pulling the plug now would be a huge mistake, and would be akin to writing off the billions already spent helping firms to survive.

“Firms are desperate to start trading again so they can boost revenue and start thinking about the future. To do so they need to see a clear, evidence-based plan for reopening, and they need time to get back on their feet without unnecessary additional taxes, and the security of knowing that Government will once again support them should we see additional restrictions imposed at any point.

“In the meantime, support must remain in place for firms that need it until a full reopening of the economy is possible. With cash flow being a major challenge for many businesses, we can expect to see further redundancies or business failures should Government support end prematurely.

“Alongside a clear roadmap for reopening, business confidence will also come from a commitment to further accelerate the vaccination programme and a wider workplace testing strategy that’s accessible to businesses of all sizes.”