Edinburgh businesses approach easing of coronavirus lockdown with optimism

THIS has been the hardest 50 days that Edinburgh’s small businesses have ever had to endure. For many, the overriding priority during this time has been survival. Other businesses have continued to operate, delivering essential goods and services to the people of Edinburgh and beyond. Some have switched their production to boost supplies of essential PPE or hand sanitiser.

Almost all have rapidly had to get to grips with the swiftly evolving framework of support that has been made available by the UK and Scottish Governments. Of course, this financial support will only go so far and businesses are understandably looking to plan for a future which is currently shrouded in uncertainty.

The current support will see them good for a period of weeks or months but what happens after that? We also know that the Job Retention Scheme, or furloughing, is due to come to an end at the end of June, but that certainly doesn’t mean that business will return to normal in July.

Small local shops may well have to play a major role in the recovery, helping to support people who are working from home.

Many journeys may well be made by car in the short to medium term if public transport is seen to present a higher health risk or has reduced capacity due to social distancing.

Meanwhile, bars and restaurants will become very different places if these social distancing measures become the norm for the next few months. The impact of the cancellation of the Edinburgh Festivals will be keenly felt.

As the last few days have demonstrated, businesses will need future guidance to be crystal clear on what they can and cannot do. They will also need existing mechanisms, particularly the furlough scheme, to have the flexibility to enable the phased return of employees to work, with the employer covering costs when the member of staff is working but the government continuing to step in on the days on which they are not.

One thing that has struck me when talking to business owners recently is the strength of their optimism. The road ahead may be uncertain but the will of small businesses to succeed is undiminished.