The Bromsgrove Advertiser is launching a campaign to support local businesses to help them recover from the impact of the coronavirus lockdown. 

Many of these businesses re-opened today,Monday June 15, after more than two months of being closed, while others such as hairdressers and pubs won’t be able to trade again until July. 

For those businesses that have been able to remain open during the lockdown, many have seen a significant loss in income.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Bromsgrove Advertiser editor Stephanie Preece said: “This is a crucial time for local businesses as they try to recover from the impact of the lockdown which, for many, has seen them without any income for more than two months. 

“In this area, we are fortunate to have so many great local, independent businesses and we need our community to support them now to make sure we don’t lose them. 

“In the coming months we will be promoting these businesses in our newspaper, on our website and our social media channels, to help spread the message that they are open and highlight why they are so valuable to this community. 

“I urge all of our readers to show that they love local business by supporting them.”

Worcestershire businesses are working hard to adapt to life in the post-Covid 19 environment.

Despite pessimistic global economic forecasts, there is optimism in the local business community even though companies need to change how they operate to work safely as they strive to protect their customers and staff from the risk of contracting cornavirus.

Electrical contractors Barrie Beard Limited is a well-established business in Bromsgrove.

They work in the commercial and domestic sectors and bosses recognise the importance of letting customers know they are back in business after the lockdown.

Warren Beard, managing director at Barrie Beard Ltd, described how his company reacted when the lockdown began.

He said: “We had concerns at the time, we had jobs we had to get done, there was one at Worcester Hospital, a building full of Covid.

“We had eight people on the job but reduced it to two, we supported the guys, we made sure they had all the right PPE. 

“We had to keep an emergency team on as well to keep people’s power on in their homes.”

During the lockdown most of the staff were furloughed and as business begins to return, Mr Beard is looking ahead.

He said the company is already running at over a third of its capacity and is well placed to cope with shortages of materials following the lockdown.

Mr Beard said: “We have got about 35 to 40 percent and by the end of July it will be over 50 percent but then I think there will be a lull. We have got a lot of materials in stock which will keep us going for quite a time.”

“We need to get things rolling, it is important to tell people we are open and working safely in line with the regulations, not just the public but small factories and schools. It is important we reach all those in the area.

“That is what we are saying, that we are trying to do it right and get back to business in a safe way.”

Advertiser sales director, Dale Godliman said: “I am delighted that we are running a sustained campaign outlining the importance of using local business, at what is a crucial time for so many SMEs. We reach a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands and, through a combination of combining our loyal print publications, record online audiences and market leading engagement via our social media channels, we are really confident that we can be the marketing partner of choice for local businesses during this crucial period. 

“We are really banging the drum for local businesses from all sectors including retail, hospitality and leisure and encouraging our loyal readership to show their support by shopping local. 

Any business which wants to be featured in our campaign, call 01905742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.”