These measures cost our business millions but were worth it when we saw our clients’ reaction to the service and support we provided to them through a hugely worrying and difficult period.
The vaccine drive has been hugely important both in getting the country open again as well as in making people feel more confident getting back out there. It is the cornerstone of the prime minister’s winter Covid plan, with a booster programme and the largest flu vaccination drive this country has seen just announced.
One word of caution, however. While the main focus of the government’s plan is vaccine rollout, there is also talk of a 'plan B', including a potential return to home working and mandatory face coverings. It is vital for all employers to start planning now, both in terms of continuing to encourage their employees to be vaccinated against both Covid and flu, as well as ensuring their business is fully prepared for a potential return to home working, should it become necessary.
Of course, I hope it does not come to that, but with the potential for an increase in seasonal illness as well as a spike in Covid cases, every business owner needs to prepare ahead for any eventuality.
Also, those who are clinically vulnerable should take extra caution, even if double jabbed. If you are in a high-risk category, you do need to be extra careful.
I am talking here about those who are fit and more than able getting back to the office, not those who are potentially still at risk from Covid, despite being vaccinated.
But in general, I firmly believe we all owe it to the local small businesses who have looked after us over the years to get back to the office wherever we are in the country: the sandwich shops, the coffee kiosks, the key cutters, the dry cleaners, the shoe repairers, the newspaper vendors, the taxi drivers, the local restaurants.
These businesses all depend on us for their living. Small businesses are the lifeblood of this country. To see our city centres continue to be deserted would be one of the most damaging outcomes of this pandemic. It is vital to get the heartbeat and the vibrancy back into our towns and cities.
Despite this difficult economic backdrop, there is something interesting and maybe surprising going on. Coming out of the pandemic, the number of new business start-ups is increasing at a record level.
It seems that many people have used furlough and time at home to re-evaluate what they want to do and have taken the opportunity as a springboard to plan and launch new businesses of their own.
