Oxford business battles on despite coronavirus

That is the message from Oxford Mail editor Samantha Harman and Newsquest Oxfordshire’s sales director Shane Harding.

They are urging people to shop local and support independent businesses in any way they can, including sharing online #StillopeninOxfordshire, their stories about local businesses – and the extra efforts they go to to keep their customers happy during the crisis.

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Many shops, businesses and restaurants in the city are already suffering from a drop in takings.

They are urging customers to support them by buying products online, and getting goods delivered to their homes.

The team who run La Cucina Italian and Cuttlefish restaurants, both in St Clement’s, are planning to keep running and offering deliveries as long as possible.

Yola Drage, who runs both businesses, said: “We continue to work with Deliveroo and we offer take-out too, as many of the local neighbours are aware.

"And, as so many of our outside catering jobs were cancelled this month, we are also able to offer larger orders of 10 food items direct with free delivery within a three-mile radius.

“We wish for normality like everyone in our community, and we hope to serve you all back at the restaurants in a couple of months, when we have defeated the coronavirus.”

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Phil Southall, president of Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re all living in unprecedented times and alongside ensuring everyone is safe and healthy it’s also important we all pull together in support of the many independent businesses that make Oxfordshire such a rich and vibrant place to live and work.

“Small businesses, alongside larger companies play an important part in our economy and the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomes the #stillopeninoxfordshire campaign.”

Oxford butchers Aldens, which runs Meatmaster on Osney Mead, has brought forward the launch of its free online click and collect and home delivery service to help customers.

Initially deliveries will be restricted to the OX1, OX2, OX3, OX4 and OX5 postcodes for now.

Matthew Alden, managing director of Aldens, said: “We want to do our bit and help our customers protect themselves and those around them.”

Graham MacDonald, who runs iScream gelateria in the Covered Market, also wants customers to rally round.

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He said: “We are all facing extremely challenging times and, as we order our Easter products many months in advance, we have a surfeit of Easter Eggs and we would like to offer a 25 per cent discount and free delivery on orders over £30 within the city.

“Please please support us and help us get through this together.”

At the same time, city council leader Susan Brown is writing to all businesses in Oxford with information and guidance about how to access national and local support for everyone impacted by coronavirus.

She said in her letter: “We realise this is an extremely challenging and concerning time, and we are committed to doing what we can to support businesses and communities affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

"The council has a dedicated team working to ensure that all the support for

businesses announced in recent days can be quickly facilitated and made available to you and your employees.

"Our team is standing ready, and our goal is to ensure businesses in Oxford can be the first to access the new loans, grants and rate relief.”

Ms Brown added the council was working closely with its partners, including Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

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The council is also working with Experience Oxfordshire and other local councils, to ensure businesses have as much support as possible.

The local authority has emailed businesses a document containing a list of all the support that the Government has made available to businesses in recent days, how to access the support, and other information and guidance.

Ms Brown added: “While I am clear that the Government can, and should, do much more in this area around grants to businesses, if you are facing cash flow issues then I would encourage you to consider making use of these loans.”

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The council is asking businesses to take part in a survey so it can gain a clear understanding of the impact of coronavirus.

To take part in the city council survey visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/oxford-citybusinesses.