01 April 2020
GO! Southampton is calling on businesses in the city to give feedback on the Government funding available to support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, by completing a short survey, which has been issued in partnership with Southampton City Council, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.
In the last three weeks, the Government has released a range of financial support measures for employers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Measures include two grant schemes – a small business grant and a retail, leisure and hospitality grant – which are being administered locally by Southampton City Council, as well as nationally administered measures such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. For more details of support measures available click here.
GO! Southampton is now asking businesses to share their views on the current unprecedented situation, their awareness of relevant support measures and their experiences of the application processes for accessing support. Working with both Southampton City Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, GO! Southampton will be able to provide business insights into the COVID-19 interventions and raise concerns accordingly. Individual responses will be treated confidentially with any data anonymised when analysed.
Giles Semper, Executive Director at GO! Southampton, said: “At such an unprecedented time, feedback from our levy payers is more invaluable than ever. Whilst the number of support measures available for businesses is encouraging, it’s important we identify issues surrounding the various funding schemes and how they are accessed, so we can assist where possible and raise relevant concerns with local and central government accordingly.”
The survey is open until 24 April and can be accessed via www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GOSOCOVID19