Business performance in Lincolnshire took a big hit in the second quarter of the year as the coronavirus pandemic caused a profound shock on the county’s economy.
New figures from Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey show the extent to which the pandemic has affected local businesses.
The Q2 survey found that businesses reported a decline in UK sales activity, from a level of +8 to -53 (a balance above 0 signifies growth with negative balances indicating a contraction in activity), while a fall in overseas sales from +4 to -50.
UK orders fell from +6 to -48 and for exporters the decline reported was from 0 to -37.Staffing levels have seen a similar decline, with recruitment activity over the last three months fallen from +12 to -26.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CRJS) has been the lifeline of businesses across Lincolnshire and beyond, however with the phasing out of the scheme in Q3, the survey shows that businesses are expecting to make more reductions in staff in the coming three months.
Responses this quarter have split quite neatly 75% / 25% across the services and manufacturing sectors, with results overall showing a greater impact on activity for services.
Confidence levels have reduced drastically with future profitability levels dropping from +18 to -39 and turnover is at -28 from +38 in Q1, with these shifts in confidence being much more pronounced in the services sector.
Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “These results have come as no surprise, although national figures published over the last few weeks have shown what has happened to the economy generally, these findings give the first comparison and evidence of the impact that the pandemic has had on businesses across Lincolnshire.
“It is and has been an unprecedented situation in both scale and impact, businesses across Lincolnshire stopped or dramatically reduced their activity, with some still waiting the go ahead to reopen.
“We know there is a long way to go before the economy can fully recover from the impact of the pandemic, but what businesses need now is some focussed support to aid their staff back into the workplace, adapting operations and returning to pre-lockdown business activity and economic performance.”
Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council’s said:“Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the economy and on growth locally, just as it has nationally.
“We have done a great deal to help. The services that we commission have provided one-to-one advice to around 600 businesses.
“Now, as we enter the next phase of more business re-opening in rapidly changing circumstances, support continues to be available focused on the particular challenges that different sectors are facing.
“The coming months will undoubtedly remain challenging, so our focus is on helping businesses become as resilient as possible for the future.”
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Phase two of the works at Speakers’ Corner in Lincoln is well underway and expected to finish on schedule this summer.
Phase two, which began on Monday, January 11, will see existing paving upgraded, as well as new street furniture being installed.
It will follow the first phase which was completed and open to the public on December 22, with a new bench put in place around the existing London Plane tree, instead of the demolished kiosk.
Speakers Corner bench is in place, but closed off until phase two paving works are finished. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Site setup for phase two is complete, with workers on site currently digging out the existing hard paving standings at the Cornhill.
A large portion of the area has been fenced off while work takes place, leaving just two pedestrian strips on either side to access both the High Street and the Cornhill Quarter.
There is limited access in the area while works take place. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Despite the cold and wet weather throughout January, progress of the paving removal has not been affected.
This means that phase two works are still on course to be finished in summer this year.
It is hoped that once the area is completed, the walkways will blend in with those at Exchange Square, as well as utilising the space for events.
A look at how the finished development will look. | Illustration: City of Lincoln Council
Bin collections in Boston and in parts of East Lindsey will be suspended for the rest of the week due to COVID-related staff absences.
The collections will be suspended from Wednesday, January 27 as a number of East Lindsey District Council’s and Boston Borough Council’s waste crews either have coronavirus or are self-isolating.
Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council said it is not a decision that has been taken lightly and it is necessary for the service to be suspended in some southern parts of the district until Monday, February 1.
From Monday, waste collections are expected to continue as normal.
Households impacted by the disruption can present any accumulated side waste in black refuse sacks alongside their black bins on their next scheduled bin collection.
The following areas are affected:
Boston
Friskney
Eastville
New Leake
Stickford
Coningsby (part)
Coningsby Moorside
Dalderby
Haltham
Mareham Le Fen
Moorby
N Bolingbroke
Revesby
Scrivelsby
Tumby
Tumby Moorside
Tumby Woodside
Wilksby
Wood Enderby
Carrington
Dogdyke
Frithville
Gypsey Bridge
New Bolingbroke
New York
Scrub Hill
Thornton Le Fen
Westville
Antons Gowt
Cowbridge
Fishtoft
Frithville
Langrick
Sibsey
East Keal
East Kirkby
Hagnaby
Keal Coates
Midville
Stickney
Toynton All Saints
West Keal
Victoria Burgess, Assistant Director for Operations at the council, said: “Over the past couple of days it has proved a real challenge to keep the service going with a number of rounds having not been completed due to staff absences.
“With more crews off again today we needed to take action now and suspending the service is the only realistic option available to us to keep everyone safe – something we’ve worked hard to avoid.
“Our workforce has done an amazing job over the past year and they’ve received much praise from the community and are grateful for your continued good wishes.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire County Council has agreed to extend their open days at the Household Recycling Centre on Bittern Way for the disposal of black-bagged general waste and recycling only.
The two extra days of opening are Wednesday and Thursday of this week and next, between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
Over 6,000 people living in and around the Scunthorpe have signed up to donate convalescent plasma after having coronavirus.
This comes as NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing for more potential plasma donors ahead of an upcoming third trial.
Convalescent plasma is the antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had coronavirus. This can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.
NHSBT wants more people in the area hitting the 28-day recovery mark to sign up.
Over 30 donations have so far been taken at the Scunthorpe donor centre at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road, which opened in December last year.
People can register to donate online here and can donate 28 days after they’ve recovered from coronavirus.
The Lincolnshire centre is located at Berkeley House at Berkeley Business Centre on Doncaster Road in Scunthorpe. | Photo: NHSBT
NHSBT is collecting the plasma for new trials for older people or those with cancer to treat them early in the course of the infection.
Two earlier trials have now stopped for data analysis. The upcoming third trial’s focus will be on those with low immune systems and all donations are tested for COVID antibodies.
The NHS trials of convalescent plasma are the largest randomised controlled trials for this treatment of COVID-19.
Professor Dave Roberts, Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation at NHSBT, said: “More people than ever are now able to help – the time to donate is now.
“We especially need donations from people in Scunthorpe who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.
“We have completed two trials and analysis is ongoing. We now need to collect plasma for further planned clinical studies. We’re particularly looking at high risk groups such as the elderly and people with cancer.
“Donations are vital to the ongoing lifesaving research, which gives us a better understanding of how we can best treat patients with COVID-19 and help prevent deaths in the future.”
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