Stricken local firms need public's support to make it through – Elgin BID
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ELGIN BID has praised the ingenuity of local businesses thrown into a struggle for survival by the coronavirus crisis.
But the business membership organisation said many firms were in desperate need of government help – and public support – to have a chance at recovery.
Elgin BID chief executive Gill Neill said the group was working in partnership with representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Moray Business Women, the Federation of Small Business, SCDI, Business Gateway, Moray Chamber of Commerce, Moray Council and Moray Speyside Tourism.
The agencies are holding online meetings twice a week, along with Moray MP Douglas Ross and MSP Richard Lochhead, to review what is happening, share information and feed suggestions and concerns directly to the local politicians.
Ms Neill said the impact of the virus had completely and almost entirely negatively altered the business landscape.
She said: "COVID-19 has changed the world in ways we simply couldn’t have imagined a year ago and it has caused undue pressure and stress on the business community.
"Many businesses have been forced to close their doors in order to comply with government rules and that has caused the owners and staff to fear for their future.
"While the impact on the retail sector can’t be missed, it’s important to remember that virtually every business has been negatively impacted – hairdressers, cafés, estate agents, healthcare professionals – they are all suffering.
"People have been really ingenious in finding new ways to work. For example, offering online sales, collections or deliveries of food, telephone or video conferencing with lawyers and accountants. But it is the worst financial crisis to hit the world in living memory and these businesses will desperately need the help and support of the public if they are to make a recovery.
"The UK and Scottish governments have are offering huge support packages, but they don’t cover everyone and every business."
Ms Neill urged locals, if they can, to buy from local businesses still able to offer services.
She said: "I think we need to use this time to try, wherever possible, to support the businesses who are still operating and be ready to get out for a catch-up, coffee, glass of wine, to do a bit of shopping or get a beauty treatment with friends and family as soon as we are safely able to.
"We will definitely all deserve a treat when this is over."
