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Following the announcement of fresh restrictions for businesses, the business community is demanding a second round of support.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new set of restrictions to cut down on the spread of the coroanvirus, including a 10pm closing time for pubs and restaurants and stricter rules on mask-wearing.
Responding to the PM's latest announcement, small businesses have called for extra support to withstand the latest round of restrictions.
"We’ve already suffered from six months of disruption linked to this virus, and small businesses and the self-employed will be dismayed at facing another six months of restrictions," said Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry.
Mr Cherry explained that it’s paramount that the government urgently steps forward with an ambitious second round of support measures to help firms survive.
"The job retention scheme is ending in six weeks and the deadline for bounce back loan applications is rapidly approaching," he said.
"Many businesses – particularly those at the heart of our night time economy and events industries – are now seriously fearing for their futures. Having lost the summer, a lot of them would’ve been pinning their hopes to increased trade in the run-up to Christmas. Their plans are now in disarray."
He judged that while it’s encouraging to see the government striking a balance between protecting public health and protecting the economy, this fresh round of restrictions could cause significant disruption for thousands of small firms.
“Policymakers now urgently need to map out the support measures that will follow-on from the job retention scheme, cash grants announced earlier this month and emergency finance initiatives," Mr Cherry cautioned.
“It’s important to remember that small firms have already spent thousands on putting safety measures in place but received no funding to support their efforts to do the right thing.
“Equally, a significant proportion of the small business community – not least the newly self-employed and company directors – have received no income support whatsoever. We urgently need to see a rescue package brought forward for those left out."
He called out to everyone to support the small business community wherever and whenever possible.
"The UK’s 5.8 million small firms and sole traders need your support now more than ever.”