The Federation of Small Businesses in Northern Ireland has opened up on the effect that closures have had on so many businesses in the country and that further prolonged closures will mean that a high percentage will never reopen and many lives will suffer as a consequence.
Further Closure Could Cost Lives
Chair of the FSB in Northern Ireland Tina McKenzie was quoted in today`s Belfast Telegraph as saying:
“If we come out of this without an economy, without jobs, then the impacts of that will also be lives, there is no doubting that.
“And the impact on the quality of life for our children will also be huge.
“There is no way anyone would ever say that health and wellbeing of people should be put behind the economy. It is about having a grown up conversation.
Plan Needed For Small Businesses
“And also about remembering there are many people in this society who are continuing to be paid [like] politicians and those in the public sector and it is not fair we don’t have a plan for these small businesses and we need to get it.”
She went on to say that:
“Lots of small companies have been really clever about organising stock to provide hampers … but that is in the short term, none of that is going to keep these businesses going long term,”
“When you talk of those medium sized and even some of the larger businesses really [reopening] it is about ensuring bringing some of the workforce back to keep some of the business going and it is important it is safe for staff and you adhere to social distancing.”
She added: “If you’re in an environment like a small hairdressers or a small restaurant, and this is why the hospitality industry has been so affected, in certain circumstances you can’t.
“Until we get more testing and identifying and isolating in place the way other countries have done then certain businesses unfortunately will not be able to open safely.
“Until Northern Ireland has some kind of strategy, some businesses are sitting on the sidelines just counting down the days and the more days there are, the more days it’s likely that they may not return and that’s quite serious.”
Helping Businesses Through This Critical Time
This is a very serious time for many businesses who are just about hanging on by their fingernails. As we have mentioned previously in our blogs at WHR Accountants we are here to help businesses get through this critical time, giving them financial and business advice to ensure they can survive. If you would like to speak to us please get in touch with our offices here in Armagh on 028 3752 2909.
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