A leading business organisation in Coventry and Warwickshire has been working seven days a week to ensure firms across the region get the help they need during the Coronavirus crisis.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has been supporting companies in the region for well over 100 years and the past few weeks have been among the most challenging for the economy in that period.
The Chamber has adapted to the change of circumstances and, as well as offering help and advice to business, it has also ensured that companies’ issues and needs are understood by decision-makers at a local, regional and national level.
It has moved its branch meetings online and has already held sessions with Mark Pawsey MP and Nadhim Zahawi MP as part of its #policyhour with another to follow with Matt Western MP on April 16.
That is part of the new ChamberLIVE series which includes online networking and business intelligence events to ensure businesses stay in touch and informed throughout the crisis.
The Chamber is issuing daily bulletins to members to ensure they are kept abreast of the latest announcements from Government in terms of support and how to access it. On top of that, it has remained high-profile in the media to encourage more companies to come forward and ask for help.
It has been taking calls from businesses of all sizes and sectors from right across the patch to help them understand what is available to them and how to go about applying for some of the support on offer.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Chamber team has responded to this crisis in an incredibly professional and compassionate way.
“We are a not-for-profit organisation and we have been working seven days per week including remaining open over Easter.
“The Chamber has been a front-line service for our business community (and partners needing to reach businesses) at this time, as evidenced by testimonials and genuine thanks for the support we’ve provided.
“We have held e-led networks with MPs, the Bank of England and sector business leaders, and we have worked with local authorities and the Police Commissioner to line them up to talk direct to businesses via our networks and communications.
“We have a strong voice in to Government and daily lobby on gaps in support and getting cash out of door. We, as a Chamber network, have had e-meetings with LEP Network, Ministers, HMRC, H&S Executive and more, all about pushing support for businesses. Our focus is now resilience and recovery – and we will be here to support companies in that.”