On Satuday (31 October) the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that the whole of England will shortly move into lockdown after a further rise in cases of COVID-19.
Up until this change to lockdown restrictions at midnight on Wednesday 4 November (into Thursday 5 November), Oxford's COVID-19 status will remain at 'high' (tier two), with the remainder of the county staying at tier one status.
Below is a statement from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, after the weekend's lockdown announcement.
Statement from Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP:
Following the Government’s decision to return the whole of England into lockdown, we will continue to work with Oxfordshire’s health officials, our local authority counterparts, the county’s MPs and our business community to ensure the additional support that our businesses will undoubtedly require during this period is in place and made readily available.
We ask that businesses follow the new guidelines and adhere to any actions required, including those industries permitted to remain active during this lockdown period.
We also encourage businesses to be as proactive as possible and seek any support that is needed, whether via existing government schemes, potential future schemes or indeed the support and advice we are able to offer as the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership.
Coronavirus has created an unprecedented situation and will cause concern and disruption to businesses of all sizes for the foreseeable future. We will continue to work hard to ensure that our business community can be supported – and remain resilient – during this challenging period.
The Prime Minister's press conference on 31 October, announcing new lockdown measures from this Thursday
Find out more on new national restrictions
Find out more on the Government support and guidance available to businesses
OxLEP Business support:
Coronavirus has created an unprecedented situation and will cause concern and disruption to businesses of all sizes for the foreseeable future. Clearly, moving into a further period of lockdown will be extremely difficult for all businesses and the ability to not only remain productive, but also, remain operational will be a significant challenge.
During the coming weeks and months, we will continue to signpost our business community to support resources, helping you to make positive decisions during this time. We have introduced a number of new programmes and funds in recent times, aimed at providing critical help to businesses.
Here's a summary of some of the support we can offer businesses:
Peer networks:
The peer networks programme brings together cohorts of business leaders so they can discuss business challenges with their peers.
Delivered through a series of group sessions, businesses gain and reflect valuable feedback from peers and identify practical solutions to overcome business challenges. Businesses will then choose which coach, mentor or business advisor to work with to further explore solutions to your challenge.
Ant Parsons from OxLEP Business sets out the Peer Networks programme
Find out more on peer networks
Business support tool:
Through the business support tool, businesses can complete a simple online form and receive a bespoke business support plan, aimed at coming up with practical solutions to challenges currently faced:
Find out more on our business support tool
eScalate:
The eScalate programme supports growing businesses that have scale-up potential. It also supports SMEs that are social enterprise, social entrepreneurs, enterprising charities and other purposeful businesses committed to enabling positive social and environmental impact.
Innovation Support for Business (ISfB):
ISfB is a programme designed to drive and commercialise the innovative business ideas of Oxfordshire's SMEs and entrepreneurs.
Skills for Business:
Skills for Business provides practical support to small to medium-sized businesses to identify and evaluate their skills and learning needs including upskilling current staff.
