MANY businesses have had a torrid time since the first national lockdown was imposed on this day in 2020 - and there are calls for the government to do more right now to help the North East bounce back.
Reshma Begum, development manager for the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) in the North East said the nation’s 5.5million small businesses and self-employed are among those hardest hit by the pandemic.
And although it is now two-years since the first UK lockdown, its impact and those of the following lockdowns and Covid restrictions are continuing to bite.
Read more: The heartbreaking number of North East lives claimed by Covid
Ms Begum said: "Since March 2020, businesses have faced unprecedented challenges and barriers to their growth aspirations, managing their operations through a global pandemic, and simultaneously dealing with the changes to trading conditions as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union.
"Businesses have taken on record-breaking levels of debt amidst rising costs, falling revenue and a two-year long stop-start economy.
"Despite the challenges, at every stage throughout the pandemic, small businesses have truly shone as the hearts of their respective communities.
"They’ve been forthcoming in supporting employees as necessary, and in many cases, pivoted their business m odels where possible to survive and support the local economy.
"The agility, resolve and resilience demonstrated by the small business community is unmatched; they have proven time and time again that they are absolutely the backbone of the nation’s economy.
"However, the difficulties do not end here, and our economic recovery remains fragile.
"Businesses continue to battle the elements with accumulated debts, increases in taxation, spiralling utility costs, supply chain disruption, ongoing labour and skills shortages, to name just a few."
Ms Begum warned that the rising cost of operating a business threatens to 'cripple' the SME community.
She added: "FSB is urging the Chancellor to make today’s Spring Statement a rallying point for businesses.
"In a letter to Rishi Sunak, our newly appointed National Chair, Martin McTague, has recommended interventions aimed at addressing foundational issues in the UK economy against a backdrop of declining business confidence.
"The time to deliver a low tax, high investment, dynamic economy is now, and is critical to a full economic recovery.
John McCabe, chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce, also believes the government needs to offer more support to businesses, particularly those hardest hit by lockdowns and restrictions such as in hospitality and retail.
He said: “The two years since the start of lock-downs have been the most challenging many of us can remember.
"However, the North East business community has really worked tirelessly to both support those in need and continue to serve their customers.
“We are now on a path to recovery but there are still sectors in our region where difficulties remain.
"The hospitality and retail sectors to name two, will take a while to totally overcome the financial burden being closed for so long, has created.
"Self-employed people were also very hard hit.
"There are issues where Government could do more to help.
"While we acknowledge the support given over the past 24 months there are areas such as business rates where there are unfair, historic anomalies.”
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here