Move to help Doncaster businesses as concerns about coronavirus rise in town

Doncaster Chamber has launched an online advice service for local businesses about the illness, bringing together advice and guidance alongside practical support to help businesses and their employees prepare for and minimise disruption caused by the outbreak.

Advice on the coronavirus can be accessed at doncaster-chamber.co.uk/coronavirus.

Dan Fell, chief executive at the chamber said: “Doncaster Chamber are determined to offer all local businesses, regardless of their membership, support and practical advice to help mitigate disruption caused by coronavirus.

“We are receiving a growing number of enquiries looking for assistance and information. We know individual businesses are accessing information and making their own plans, but their time is valuable and misinformation is commonplace, so our aim is to simplify that process and support them so they are as well prepared as possible.

“t’s vital we continue to work together, and I would particularly welcome any feedback from businesses on how the situation is affecting them, and on services they offer which may be of benefit to others in the current climate which the Chamber can help share.”

Rupert Suckling, Director of Public Health at Doncaster Council said: “The coronavirus is a new virus but we know that a few simple steps at work as well as at home can make a big difference. Regular handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and water will kill the virus. And keeping hard surfaces clean will reduce risk too.”

The Chamber’s dedicated resource includes links to regional and national news, guides and updates; HR support links for chamber members; rapid response webinars and a guide to emergency remote working developed in partnership with a Doncaster chamber member company.

One Doncaster businesswoman revealed this week that she was closing her town centre shop as she believed a drop in town centre visitors was the last straw in its viability.

The 2020 budget unveiled £7bn of extra spending for businesses and workers, specifically targeted at coronavirus measures.