Loading profile data...

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Are you ready for the reopen?

Are you ready for the reopen?
Emma Jones
Emma JonesOfficial

Posted: Mon 22nd Feb 2021

Later today the prime minister will set out a plan for the hopeful reopening of England and its economy. The plan for Scotland will be announced later this week, Northern Ireland has extended lockdown with a review on 18 March and Wales has outlined a tentative plan for shops to open in three weeks.
 
Over the past few weeks, there has been a figure in which we have taken great interest - the £250bn that UK households are predicted to have saved by June. On the basis that consumers are ready to re-emerge, there is every prospect that some of these savings will be spent with small businesses.

Our question to you is: are you ready for the re-open?

We have issued a survey today to ask how you are feeling about lockdown easing and the support you need to make the most of upcoming opportunities.

Here's what we think now, before seeing survey results:

  • Online sellers who have traded well over the past 12 months will want to meet customers in person and test physical retail

  • Founders will see customer demand for experiences and develop new revenue lines to offer this; for example, if you're an artist, starting to offer small and in-person art classes

  • All businesses will want to understand the legalities of welcoming back trade, such as refund policies

  • Businesses will look to raise funds to buy stock and/or equipment to invest for upcoming custom and will look to non-traditional forms of finance - i.e. beyond the banks - for this capital

Based on what you say in the survey, we will share an action plan a week today (1 March) on how we will deliver on the support and advice you're after.
 
If commentators are right and the UK resembles the 'Roaring Twenties' where growth came from pent-up demand and spending, we want to ensure small businesses are fit and ready to absorb some of that spend.

I look forward to your survey response.

_Emma Jones CBE is the founder of Enterprise Nation.

ready to re-open_

The latest coronavirus support information

We are keeping you updated on the latest information on how to access the government's coronavirus business support here. You can also find advice and ask a question on Enterprise Nation's coronavirus business advice hub. Follow Enterprise Nation on Twitter too for updates.

Emma Jones
Emma JonesOfficial
Following a degree in Law and Japanese, Emma joined international accounting firm Arthur Andersen, where she worked in London, Leeds and Manchester offices and set up the firm's Inward Investment practice that attracted overseas companies to locate in the UK. In 2000, bitten by the dot.com bug, Emma left the firm to start her first business, Techlocate. After 15 months, the company was successfully sold to Tenon plc. The experience of starting, growing and selling a business from a home base gave Emma the idea for Enterprise Nation which was launched in 2006 as the home business website. The company has since expanded to become a small business membership community of over 75,000 people who benefit from events and support: online and in person. Enterprise Nation also presents a campaigning voice to government and the media on behalf of its members. In 2021, Emma was awarded a CBE for services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

You might also like…

Get business support right to your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive business tips, learn about new funding programmes, join upcoming events, take e-learning courses, and more.