In November 2020 Winifrid Robinson interviewed Rowena Howie for BBC lunchtime Radio 4 show, You and Yours.
Initially a look at the cost of doing business exascerbated by the pandemic, we discussed rates, rents and relief ( or the lack of it!)
In the initial interview in November I explained the impact of COVID-19 on our small business and our fears should business rates relief for retailers not be continued beyond March 2021.
As we enter a new national lockdown this Spring You and Yours came back to me to follow up our story and see how the new restrictions are affecting business.
There was one piece of good news. Premises such as mine with a rateable value of more than 51k are no longer excluded from government grants. Will the 9k grant be enough to get small businesses through the current lockdown?
Even if it is, without help for those in the supply chain we may be reopening shops with little to sell to customers?