Sheffield Covid-19 Business Response Group is calling for businesses in the city to share how they have been affected by the pandemic.

The Response Group is made up of Sheffield’s leading business networks and support organisations, who are working together to help address the issues local businesses are facing now and into the future.

The group are encouraging all Sheffield-based businesses who have been impacted by the pandemic to complete an online survey, which will shape the support provided to businesses in the region. The responses will also inform discussions with Central Government on the funding and support needed to help local organisations recover.

The survey aims to identify how different sectors in Sheffield have been affected and to what extent, to help ensure that more targeted and specific support is provided wherever possible. It is also hoped that it will provide an overview of the issues that are of most concern to business owners both currently and looking to the future, from impact on cash flow to social distancing.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said:

“We know that Coronavirus has had a massive impact on businesses in Sheffield and has presented many challenges and uncertainty that people haven’t experienced before.

“Sheffield Business Response Group, which includes the Council, has launched this survey to help us better understand exactly how businesses have been affected, so that we can make sure we’re providing the support that people need the most.

“We can’t do this without your help, so I’d like to ask all business owners in Sheffield, whatever your experiences of Covid-19, to please take the time to fill out the survey.

“It’s also important to reiterate that there is a lot of support available to businesses right now to help with things like your short-term cash flow. We know there are a number of eligible businesses that haven’t applied for a grant, so if you think you could qualify please contact us to find out more.”

Alexis Krachai, Co-Chair of the Sheffield Covid-19 Business Response Group, said:

“Covid-19 has impacted on us all, and we know that businesses in particular need a lot support to recover from this pandemic and thrive again.

“Nobody is better placed to explain what they need than businesses themselves, so that’s why we’re asking as many business owners as possible to share their insight with us. “Filling out this survey will give us valuable data that will be extremely important in helping us to shape a stronger and more inclusive economy moving forward.”

Support for businesses and information on business grants is available here. Alternatively, you can contact Business Sheffield at businesssheffield@sheffield.gov.uk or call 0114 224 500.