Recovery Planning - Have your say - An Update from AWBP Chair, Andrew Swayne

Recovery planning continues to be the focus as we look forward. Whilst there is much detail to come as well as sequence from the Government (promised on Sunday). From the various sources, my initial observations are as follows:

• It's good that the planning is based on type of workplace rather than sector
• PPE will be a hot spot – its availability for non-medical/care settings is probably on the critical path to the ability to return to work – the three things which I have identified are masks, gloves and hand sanitiser. Sensible prices will also be important – profiteering is unacceptable. There will also be a large waste stream to manage
• Flexible working will be with us for some time so workplaces will be open for longer with less density in places like offices – businesses will also have to stay flexible until schools are full reopened – how the government phases this is also one of the big open questions
• For Adur and Worthing, the gigabit investment should be an advantage as we recover and reduce the pressure on our residents to commute – I believe this will become an increasingly important differentiator for us
• It looks like the lobbying on horticulture to stop the plants dying is working and let’s hope locally grown plants are more easily available.

This week some thoughts for our hospitality sector. It’s probably the hardest hit and will take the longest time to recover. When things do relax, let's focus on buying local. As less people commute, it will generate new opportunities. 

The travel business, including that which surrounds Gatwick is important for people coming into the UK and turning south to spend the money along the coastal strip in our hospitality offerings, heritage and our great landscape. On your behalf we will be supporting the push for support and recovery to Crawley and Gatwick. Clearly last week’s British Airways news and this week’s Virgin Atlantic news are of great concern.

Thanks to those who have provided feedback on what we need from the government and what we can do to help. Please have your say in this survey which the AWBP will use in their feedback to Government. 

www.awbp.co.uk