Just over one in five businesses in Liverpool are in hibernation, according to a council survey which has produced mixed results.
These businesses are closed for the moment, but plan to reopen.
According to the survey, just 1.53 percent businesses in hibernation said they were closed for good.
Of the 402 businesses who completed Council’s business sentiment survey, nearly three quarters (76.8 percent) remain open or operating in some capacity, including offering their product or services online, shifting trade to takeaway or working from home.
And a recent pulse check conducted by Liverpool City Council found that a quarter of businesses have been compelled to stand staff down during the current lockdown.
Council’s city economy team called 1,492 business in the Liverpool local government area spanning several categories, including accommodation, hospitality and food, construction, manufacturing, retail trade, fitness and recreation, health and social services, transport, wholesale, and personal services.
Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller said that while shopping local is very important, members of the community can also do their bit to support local businesses by getting vaccinated against Covid-19.
“Vaccinations are key to ensuring that our local businesses are provided with an opportunity to reopen as soon as possible and then remain open,” she said.
Liverpool City Council is supporting businesses to build or further enhance their online presence to continue operating during stay-at-home orders.
Its website has several online resources freely available from how-to guides to a webinar series on reaching new and existing customers.
Council’s Planning Advisory team is also offering free assistance to businesses who wish to operate from home or are looking to expand their offering into new products or services.
Business owners with a Liverpool City Library membership have free access to Lynda – an online learning portal created by LinkedIn featuring thousands of courses that could help small business owners improve their technical, creative, and professional expertise.
For those businesses wishing to speak to a business support officer or for more information, visit: https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/business/support-for-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19
