FEATURE FSB SUPPORT
HEN CORONAVIRUS HIT IN March, thousands of small businesses saw their custom disappear, with many closing their doors until lockdown eased weeks later. “FSB’s UK public affairs team worked tirelessly and quickly to get the most support for the most small businesses,” says Martin McTague, National Vice Chair, Policy and Advocacy, at FSB. “We got new measures put in place in a matter of days which would normally take years to design.” The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or furlough, was one of the first support mechanisms to be announced, but there was an agonising wait before small business grants and help for the selfemployed came through, which left many small businesses wondering how many days of cash flow they might have left. In April – when many were struggling to get access to their banks to get an emergency loan – one network of accountants predicted that a fifth of small businesses could go under in a matter of weeks. Many turned to local FSB representatives during this time, finding a vital source of advice and a voice for them where it mattered. “Often when I watched the news on coronavirus, FSB was being interviewed, which made me feel they were doing the right things by their members,” remembers Cecilia Grigor, founder of marketing, events and virtual PA service Planit, whose local FSB representative secured her a hardship grant when she thought she might miss out. FSB was the first business group to launch a dedicated Covid-19 hub to help all small businesses, back in February. And while members have accessed the host of resources available centrally – from furlough templates to printable signage to let people know they’re open again – it has been the local, targeted support that has mattered the most. Here’s how FSB helped three members survive.
W
Hour
need
of
When the Covid-19 crisis hit, FSB was on hand to help thousands of small firms at a local level all over the UK. The businesses featured here are just a few examples. Jo Faragher finds out more
JO FARAGHER is a freelance business journalist
30 | firstvoice | october 2020-january 2021
30-32 FSB support_First Voice Oct-Dec 2020_First Voice 30
17/09/2020 15:17
