Fylde businesses offered advice in case of Coronavirus epidemic

Business support groups in Lancashire have urged bosses to make contingency plans now and check the firm’s insurance.

Both the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses have put together packages of advice to help members.

Explaining why the chamber has put together a “toolkit”, Babs Murphy, chief executive of the NWLCC said: “If there were to be a major outbreak here, businesses will need to act quickly.

“We are aware that some businesses are reporting that the outbreak in China is beginning to have an impact with some factories in China on extended shut down.

"We anticipate that some shipments of goods maybe interrupted and exporters may find that demand from Chinese consumers weakens.

“Our advice to businesses is strikingly similar to the advice we issued last year for coping with a potential no-deal Brexit.

“Do a risk assessment, look at your supply chain, identify vulnerabilities if supplies are interrupted and make contingency plans.

“Businesses also need to consider cash flow if there’s a risk that their business model will be disrupted.

“The disruption however will be much more severe if there is a major outbreak in the UK, which is why businesses might be advised to assess the risks and start making plans now”.

FSB National chairman Mike Cherry said: “Small businesses contribute billions to the UK economy and are a major source of employment.

“We’re seeing increased calls to our contact centre and our legal advice line and it is good that we are able to offer small businesses a strong package of advice and services, along with support. Being prepared is key and we urge businesses to prepare a business continuity plan as FSB research shows just one in three small businesses have one.”

The FSB advised checking insurance policies for Business Interruption cover, and extensions for “notifiable" diseases.

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