Christmas could ‘make or break’ businesses in Yorkshire, leaders claim

In a joint letter to secretary of state for local government Robert Jenrick, northern leaders, including Leeds City Council leader Coun Judith Blake, have say they are worried about the ability of businesses to stay open without extra support.

It adds the Christmas trading period is crucial for many businesses and their suppliers, with some making as much as 40 percent of their annual turnover during the festive period.

Coun Blake said: “As we emerge from the second national lockdown and into Tier 3 of local restrictions, we’ve made the case to government that it’s essential we have the right support in place, for not just for retail but also for their supply chain.

“The situation for our retailers, both big and small, national chains and independents, is getting critical and the next few weeks of the Christmas trading period will be make or break for many of them.

“Our businesses have shown themselves to be incredibly resilient, innovative and entrepreneurial this year, and support is needed now to make sure they’re ready for better times ahead.”

Latest lockdown restrictions brought in at the beginning of December have South, West and East Yorkshire subject to Tier 3 restrictions, while North Yorkshire is under Tier 2.

While support has been made available, the letter from the Yorkshire Leaders Board says this does not address many of the costs faced by business, and highlights the gaps in the support system for the self-employed and freelancers.

It asks for “fair and proportionate” support that takes the restrictions into account in order to make sure businesses can survive until trading conditions can return to normal.

In a paper submitted alongside the letter, Yorkshire and the Humber’s leaders set out proposals for increased support, including certainty around future funding when current support runs out and increased discretionary funding that reflects the reality that some businesses have faced higher restrictions for longer than others.

It also calls for targeted support for retailers, the hospitality and leisure sector and their suppliers, recognising the impact restrictions will have on them during what is normally their busiest time of the year.