Trimedia PR expert gives reaction and advice to case study.
Weathering the storm by Len Tingle, Editor, Politics Show Yorkshire &Lincolnshire
Small businesses in tourist spots like the Dales say the abysmal summer weather has left them in poor shape to face this winter's economic slump. We go out to meet some of them
John Blackie, holiday lettings agent for over 20 years at Hawes in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales says bookings are down 20% and this leaves the small businesses that make up the bulk of the tourist industry in poor shape to face the squeeze caused by the credit crunch.
On average, 60% of all private sector workers in the UK are with companies employing less than 20 people.
In the tourist areas of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, that concentration of smaller businesses is far higher. In Wensleydale and Upper Swaledale just four companies employ more than five people.
Foot and mouth
"We've already had our first credit crunch here," says John Blackie who is also a Conservative County Councillor and a member of the North Yorks National Park Authority.
"In 2001," he continues, "we had foot and mouth here. Hawes had the first outbreak in North Yorkshire. The government acted swiftly then and we need to see the same priorities this time to ensure that smaller companies stay alive."
In 2001, VAT and tax bills were delayed, local business rates waived and funding put in place to give emergency loans and grants as tourist stayed away from the Dales.
So far, the government has earmarked funding to help over come the reluctance of banks to lend money to hard-pressed small businesses.
It has also promised specialist advice from the Business Links network. There has been no mention of tax and rate relief.
Seaside Satellite
Len Tingle and the Politics Show satellite truck will be broadcasting live from Scarborough where local Conservative MP Robert Goodwill and small business guru and Bank of England advisor Tony Cherry will be discussing the problem.
In the studio, Presenter Clare Frisby will be asking Minister for Yorkshire Rosie Winterton whether the Government is doing enough to help tourisms small businesses.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/7693149.stm
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