The coronavirus crisis is a story with an unclear ending. What is clear is that the human impact is already tragic and that we must act immediately to protect ourselves and our communities while addressing unique business challenges and risks.

Share what you know and help where you can.

In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, we recommend checking the World Health Organisation’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Stay safe and healthy.

Dear Business Owner,

The small businesses within our community provide jobs and economic growth to our city, and local businesses like yours are feeling the impact of the pandemic the most. Our coffee shops, restaurants, gyms, and pet stores are all closed; our friends and family members are losing jobs; our way of living possibly changed forever.

As local and state governments issue shelter-in-place orders, small local businesses across the UK are facing difficult decisions. We all know that we should have a plan for what to do in case of an emergency, but planning ahead for a crisis is often left until there is no time to prepare. The resulting confusion, panic, and chaos only serve to make matters worse.

That’s the situation many local businesses find themselves in with the outbreak of COVID-19 (the coronavirus). Most current and would-be customers are practicing social distancing by staying inside, canceling plans, and avoiding crowded spaces. And small and local businesses are scared and unprepared.

No organization will be immune to the impact of this pandemic and the measures being taken to slow the spread of coronavirus. Here are just some of the issues local businesses may encounter:

• • Access to capital to make payroll, maintain inventory, and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand).
  • Ensuring employees have the ability to fulfill their duties in a safe environment while being protected from exposure to the virus.
  • Not having adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period or failing to diversify distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.
  • The cost of increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning and sanitation of areas and surfaces frequently used by employees and visitors.
  • Mandatory movement restrictions are keeping customers from reaching local business locations and public concerns about public exposure.
  • An increased need for marketing that communicates to customers what protective measures are in place and promotions to incentivize returning as soon as possible.

It’s already clear that local businesses are being hit hardest. While small businesses struggle to make the right choices during this crisis, we want to give you access to the information and tools available so you can take full advantage of the resources available.

For more details and what to do lists please contact us to get more information at  hello@whattoeatlondon.com. We are here to help our community.