BID Leamington director comments on "positive package of support for businesses" in Chancellor's budget

Steph Kerr said: “The Chancellor’s budget reflects a positive package of support for businesses in some of our most hard-hit sectors and shows the government has listened and responded to critical business concerns.

“The extension to the furlough scheme, business recovery grants, VAT relief and business rates relief alongside the freeze on alcohol duty and recruitment incentives offers some much-needed certainty and breathing room and will support recovery.

“For some sectors such as hospitality, questions remain as to if the planned extension on business rates relief until July will be in place for long enough given many will not be trading until the 21st June.

“The recovery package leaves little room for the governments re-opening timetable to slip, so if there are delays, we hope that support measures can be reviewed so businesses can last the distance.

“In coming days, we will scrutinise the detail of the business grant scheme to better understand how it will be distributed and continue to work closely with Warwick District Council to provide business support and advice.

“We are also working on plans to ensure customers feel safe and welcome to return to the town centre when we begin opening the doors to them in April and remain grateful for the support being shown to town centre businesses to date.”