Northampton BID backs national campaign calling for more support for businesses hurt by tier system

Special measures are needed to support sectors adversely affected by the tiered coronavirus restrictions system, according to Northampton town centre Business Improvement District (BID).

The organisation, which represents more than 670 businesses, is supporting the newly-launched national Bounce Back Better campaign.

The campaign centres around a manifesto, created alongside other UK BIDs, local authorities, destinations, and industry bodies, which outlines a range of schemes to help hospitality, retail, and leisure firms survive.

Northampton BID operations manager Mark Mullen said: “Additional action is essential to ensure our town centre businesses can survive and recover from the new tier restrictions.

"This is vital to protect the future of our high streets and to prevent further unemployment.

“The government has offered reassurance that it will do whatever it takes to support businesses and help them to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.

"Businesses are hanging on the balance and need the government to provide further support in sector-specific measures to stave off mass closure and job losses.

"Now, more than ever, we need the chancellor to stand by his promise to do whatever it takes.”

UKHospitality has warned the new tier three rules will result in 94 per cent of hospitality businesses becoming unviable by March 2021 - In tier two, it is 75 per cent and 25 per cent in tier one.

Bounce Back Better wants the government to provide more grants to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, pause National Insurance employer contributions for furloughed employees, extend the 100 per cent business rates holiday for 2021/22 and expand the VAT reduction scheme.

Northampton BID has written to the town's MPs to urge them to get behind the campaign.

Mark added: “We would also encourage all businesses to get involved and share the Bounce Back Better manifesto to help spread the word.”