BUSINESS
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant and unprecedented impact on our local economy, causing many businesses in our borough to face new and complex challenges. The impact of closures, uncertain public health environment, and the economic pressures on our citizens, will have a longlasting effect on businesses and the local economy for many years.
With strict public health and social distancing restrictions the new norm, we understand how we do business and how we shop has changed.
From the onset of the pandemic, we have played a leading role in liaising with key economic stakeholders, engaging with local businesses and delivering awareness campaigns to stimulate investment during this crucially important time. We have also championed the importance of local residents to support local businesses to help sustain employment and revive the economy. In June we launched the ‘Boost Our Borough’ awareness campaign, in which ‘Bob’ encouraged local residents and people from outside the borough to show their support for our local business community. Bob’s shop local, dine local and stay local messages showcased all aspects of the borough’s economy in a fun and engaging way, creating a lot of interest.
20 BOROUGH LINK 2020
Helping address the concerns of our local businesses, residents and visitors is a key priority for us, which is why we are leading on the development and implementation of a borough wide business revitalisation initiative. In partnership with our key statutory partners, the recovery campaign is helping support the safe trading practices for our rural and urban businesses, ensuring the protection of customers and staff. Through our Covid-19 Revitalisation Grant Fund, many of our local businesses have received financial assistance to support investment in projects and equipment to address some of the operational challenges brought on by the pandemic. To hear more about the initiatives email regen@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
