A statement from Marketing Liverpool regarding the new national lockdown announcement.
The new lockdown restrictions are a devastating blow for Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy. Our hospitality and leisure businesses, visitor attractions and cultural venues have demonstrated incredible resilience and innovation since lockdown was eased in July. They have learned to live with COVID-19 and provided employees and customers with a COVID-safe experience.
The timing of the new lockdown could not be worse for businesses in our visitor economy. Christmas is a critical trading period for our retailers, restaurants, hotels, theatres and the businesses in the eco-system that rely on a thriving sector.
While the extension of the furlough scheme at 80% is welcome, we are already seeing redundancies at an alarming rate so there is no doubt that our businesses will need an extensive and comprehensive support package beyond the lockdown period to ensure their survival and allow them to open their doors again.
These businesses and organisations have been instrumental in our region’s tourism renaissance over the past decade. They will be again. COVID-19 has had a seismic impact on a thriving economic sector and Marketing Liverpool will be working flat out to ensure businesses get the support they need.
There are lots of ways we can support our local businesses during lockdown. Home deliveries, takeaways, gift vouchers and virtual experiences are just some of the experiences people can still enjoy and Marketing Liverpool will be promoting these and many others to residents across the city region. This is a creative, resilient city region and we are at our best when we come together. We’ve done it before, we can do it again.
Chris Brown
Director of Marketing Liverpool