issue 18 : Winter 2020
Good riddance 2020, welcome 2021!
I
DON’T believe there’s ever been a year (well, not in my lifetime) that has impacted on the nation or the world as this year has for all of us.
2020 brought with it new starts, new opportunities and new optimism. There were murmurings of some obscure virus in China, but hey, how many times before have we heard rumours along similar lines. Then, bam! We go into the first lockdown with furlough suddenly becoming an everyday word heard on the lips of business owners and employees alike. We all endured four months of getting to grips with the daily news bulletins until gradually we started to come out the other side. As a business owner, and once I’d got my head around the initial impact to my company, I always knew coming out and un-furloughing staff would be the most difficult period. However, just like a lot of business throughout Essex, we got through it, although very aware of the fact that some were not so fortunate, especially those in the hospitality and fitness sectors, to
name only two, that were on a hiding to nothing due to lockdown and social distancing rules.
We then had a period of clients returning, deep-cleaning being scheduled and, in our sector at least, experienced things picking up, only (at the time of writing) for us all to go into a second lockdown which, considering the time of year, could well prove to be even more drastic. At the same time, we had the drama and uncertainty of the American election – and that’s before we even start to think again about Brexit! It’s no wonder 2020 has got to be the most stressful year most of us in business will have experienced. I signed up to Movember, to Grow a Mo for a Bro. Those familiar with me will know I’ve had a full beard long before beards were popular, so for me to shave off the lot and start again has been a quite a shock. I’ve had all the comments, but my wife actually likes the new look, however it’s now started growing back! It’s for a great cause, prostate cancer, and we raised £200 in the first week. You can donate online at www. movember.com/m/14407944?mc=5 All contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Tony White, owner/director of Chelmsford-based cleaning and facilities management company, Priority Support Services, offers a personal take on a year none of us will forget in a hurry, with a heartfelt wish that 2021 will offer something far improved. So we head towards 2021, full of hope and optimism that we won’t be heading into a third lockdown, that our business and all those who participate in and read BusinessTime in Essex will prosper in the New Year, and that all our families, friends and colleagues will remain healthy. Let’s also hope those suffering with Covid or other underlying health problems will recover and lead healthy lives. Good health all, stay safe and here’s to some sort of Christmas celebrations and a happy, healthy 2021.
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