Sole traders, small businesses, and SMEs are the very backbone of the UK’s economy, and the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic is creating misery and worry for business owners of any size. Whether you run a business that’s had to shut down due to coronavirus or your entire workforce is now operating safely from individual home bases, the heightened anxiety you are now feeling could be making it difficult to remain pragmatic and oriented towards the future. One of the main issues facing all small business owners is where to find the best advice, and whether support is available to help with decision making. So, this brief article takes a look at all the sources of information you can access, and highlights what’s available online.
FSB: Federation of Small Businesses
Although you’ll need to take out membership to access business support from the FSB, their coverage of coronavirus is bang up to the minute, and offers all links needed to apply for government loans, furlough, etc. The FSB are providing a variety of free webinars during this unprecedented time of crisis, and sessions to date have covered:
- Help and support for your business (19 March)
- Financial help for SMEs and the self employed (26 March)
- How to access support and help from your local council (3 April)
There is a great deal more useful information on their website here: Visit the FSB Coronavirus website. You’ll also find their site has a detailed listing of the most commonly asked questions business owners and the self-employed are posing about the coronavirus, together with expert answers.
Small Business UK
The Small Business website is another good resource for small business owners and startups looking for expert advice during the coronavirus crisis. The site offers financial advice via its blogs, and some of these could provide the lifeline needed to keep some SMEs afloat during lockdown.
Other useful advice for businesses
If you visit the UpSkill website, you’ll find their Virtual Academy, which provides articles, live sessions and training workshops to help your business cope with the global pandemic.
Tower Leasing expertise
Finally, Tower Leasing is accredited for CBILS via the British Business Bank and able to support with Asset Finance for advances between £1k and £30k and loans from £50,001 to £100,000 to businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are seeking alternative funding sources to tide you through this worrying period, the experts here at Tower Leasing may be able to provide ideas to help smooth small business cash flow worries over the long or short timeframe.
Business advice during the Coronavirus lockdown
For more business advice on how to keep your business going through this uncertain period with equipment leasing and more, please get in touch with us at Tower Leasing today.
Tower Leasing have supported the investment and growth of over 40,000 SMEs. No matter what your plans are, we have the business finance products in place and the expertise to help you see them through. Read about our business finance options here.
