Midlands business leaders urges caution on road map
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce want to see a cautious approach taken to the implementation of the Prime Minister's road map.
Chief executive Corin Crane said: “This must be a cautious way forward because any emergence from lockdown must be sustainable and not see a return to the stop/start process of previous lockdowns.
“Right now, with vaccination roll out proceeding at pace and rates of infections coming down; we have every reason to be optimistic that the current lockdown has had an effect, but we don’t want to have any more setbacks and businesses need clarity and assurance that plans for reopening will be adhered to."
Mr Crane added that there were still many sectors which had been largely closed for nearly 12 months.
"Many more businesses have experienced significant disruption to trading conditions and operations. We will continue to ensure that focus is maintained on supporting all of our members during this period, amplifying their needs and concerns at the highest levels and making sure that the Black Country region remains firmly and resolutely open for business," he stressed.
Richard Butler, the Confederation of British Industry's West Midlands director said businesses in the West Midlands backed the step-by-step approach to re-opening and an end to damaging stop-start restrictions.
"The road map offers a pragmatic and safe route out of lockdown in England. West Midlands businesses will play their full part in doing so with public health in mind and the confidence to kickstart a recovery," he added.
