Much has changed in the four weeks since I last wrote this column. The country has been ‘locked down’ for more than a month with the end date as yet unknown. Our communities have come together like never before. Our government has put in place unprecedented packages to support those businesses and their employees, as well as those who are self-employed. The number of businesses already supported is amazing - as of last week, 3,751 businesses in Stockport had received £44 million in grants, thanks to the hard work of Stockport Metropolitan Council and the funding from central government.

Supporting the survival of businesses and helping workers right now is key to a successful recovery once the pandemic is over and I am pleased that our Chancellor Rishi Sunak has championed this. I urge companies who are contemplating laying off staff to look into the Job Retention Scheme, the possibility of furloughing employees, and available grants as soon as possible.

Although national supermarkets and chains have done an outstanding job adapting to a very different set of circumstances, it is our local shops and businesses that have really shone. On a daily basis I am seeing the amazing work done by local businesses – from free printing for community groups, repurposing resources to support the local community, to deliveries to the vulnerable of everything from groceries and meals to entire afternoon teas. Many shops in the Cheadle area are collaborating with local Coronavirus mutual aid community groups, branching out into delivery services and putting in place social distancing measures and opening hours for NHS staff and the vulnerable. I am looking forward to continuing to support our local businesses when we get to the other side.

In the last week, I have been highlighting those local businesses who are adapting and going above and beyond in our community with my High Street Heroes – I have been so heartened to see the response from constituents sharing their own stories of local businesses, restaurants and cafés who are working their hardest to continue supporting the community in this difficult time.

As always, my office is ready to help constituents with all sorts of queries, including businesses, please do get in touch at [email protected].