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Businesses lead the way on Covid-19 workplace measures

30 June 2020

Some of Leicestershire’s best-known businesses are speaking at webinars run by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, to share their experiences of adapting to and implementing the Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures in the workplace

Recently, smaller businesses have gained insights and valuable guidance from market leaders including Samworth Brothers; Dunelm; PPL PRS; Twycross Zoo and Race Rapid at Mallory Park. Representatives of these companies have joined a series of webinars on implementing Covid-19 measures in the workplace. The series started with a focus on manufacturing and has continued with the tourism, sport and leisure sectors.

As government guidance has been released to help move businesses out of lockdown, the Growth Hub has seen consistent demand for their sector-focused webinars with nearly 100 businesses registering to attend for each event.

Business owners want to fully understand how the guidelines should be implemented at their own place of work, to ensure they can reopen safely for both customers and staff.

Karen Clarke is Chief Operating Officer at Twycross Zoo. She spoke at one of the webinars during the first week of reopening at the Zoo.

Karen said: “We are all living and working through unprecedented times, and it’s vital we come together to support each other. I was delighted to work with the Business Gateway to share Twycross Zoo learnings so far and support others with their challenges. By continually learning from each other and working together we will become stronger.“

Rob Osborn, Head Coach at Race Rapid based at Mallory Park spoke at the sports sector webinar last week. He said: “The webinar was a great opportunity for us to share our experience opening with COVID-19 measures in place. These webinars are crucial to businesses, and a great way to learn how others from the same industry are learning to adapt and overcome.“

The business speakers were joined by Meryl Levington, Director, Actif Ltd who have provided an in-depth overview of the guidelines and Neil Warwick, Special Legal Advisor, Actif Ltd who explains the legal side of compliance with the guidelines.

The first government guidelines were issued on 11 May and since then, each sector has seen specific guidelines for their industry published. The latest guidance was issued last week when government officially announced the wider opening of the hospitality sector.

From 4 July, the 2-metre rule will be dropped in favour of a “1-metre-plus” approach. This will allow pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, campsites and hair salons to re-open, provided measures such as the wearing of masks and use of hand sanitiser are in place.

Further webinars are planned for these sectors. On 30 June at 2.00pm the focus will be on implementing covid-19 measures in the workplace for the hair industry, with content fully focussed on what hairdressers must put in place to re-open safely. This will be followed on 9 July but a retail sector webinar on new ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standards for retailers.

John Egley, Growth Hub Manager, added: “We are seeing a clear and strong demand from businesses to understand the guidelines they must follow as they prepare to re-open.

“As a Growth Hub, our remit is to support businesses however we can to meet their need. This includes our business adviser service offering guidance and advice to individual businesses, in addition to our grant funding programme and range of webinar events.

“I would urge any business that is seeking support and advice right now, to contact the Business Gateway Growth Hub and one of our friendly advisers will be happy to assist.”

The Business Gateway Growth Hub website can be found at www.bizgateway.org.uk and has a dedicated Covid-19 business toolkit section on the website packed with information for businesses. Details of all the webinars are available on the website events section.

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