New Q and A for businesses

Experts on hand to answer questions about business recovery in Blackburn with Darwen

Businesses are being invited to submit their questions focused on supporting business through the recovery of Blackburn with Darwen during the next Ask The Experts online Q&A on Wednesday, 10 June – supported in a joint partnership of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackburn Town Centre BID and Blackburn with Darwen Hive Business network.

Between 10-11am, the hour will be dedicated to business support, and Matthew Sidgreaves from Boost Business Lancashire and Clare Turner, Town Centres and Markets Service Lead from Blackburn with Darwen Council, will be on hand to answer questions about the financial support available for businesses affected by the coronavirus from the local authority.

At 11.30am, the live forum will be opened up to allow any questions about recovery and planning for re-opening your business safely. Anyone will be able to ask questions about the recovery of their business and planning to re-open their business safely for both their staff and the public.

Nicola Clayton, Chair of Blackburn Town Centre BID, said:

These fortnightly sessions have proven invaluable to businesses within the area. It’s a platform for people to ask questions and receive a prompt personalised answer to their issue, reassurance, guidance or signposting to people who can help”

Ian Brown, Chair of the Blackburn with Darwen Hive Business network said:

Over recent months, we have helped people to access financial support, supported them to navigate issues relating to employees, customers, and operating at whatever level in the current situation, and now we are here to help guide them through the start of the recovery of our town centres and the wider business community.

Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

The coronavirus crisis has hit everybody hard and many businesses are suffering since the closures and restrictions were put in place in late March. It’s a difficult situation that none of us have seen before in our lifetimes. We are doing everything we can to support you as much as possible.

We remain hopeful that Blackburn with Darwen will come through this crisis and emerge as a strong place and one again somewhere where our economy can prosper. We are united. Together we will make Blackburn better.”

To submit a question, simply visit www.blackburnbid.co.uk/coronavirus-qa or follow the link from the Blackburn BID home page.