With our economy re-opening, the hard work is only beginning. | Regional differentials risk being exacerbated

Chambers Ireland and our nationwide network of Chambers has today (10 June 2020) published results from a survey of the Irish business community. This survey sought to quantify and highlight the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in our towns, cities and regions across the country.

The fourth in a series, the survey has 1,320 responses and was conducted between the 28th May and 2nd June 2020.

Our latest survey took a read of the business environment in Phase 1 of our economy’s re-opening following the COVID-19 restrictions.

The headline findings are:

  • Business activity levels are extremely low, for those businesses that have returned to operation under Phase 1
  • Businesses that have opened are typically experiencing less than half of their usual levels of business activity for this time of year
  • The median expected revenue over the next three months (relative to what they would have expected to be earning in a typical year) has risen from -60% to -50% over the next three months, so most businesses expect their earnings over the coming three months to be half the normal amount.
  • 25% of businesses expect to have earnings that are -70% of their usual level
  • The impact of revenue decline is being felt more strongly in the regions, notably in the West, Border counties and the South East
  • Smaller operators have seen revenue reduced most significantly, again compounding regional effects for areas which do not have large employers
  • Invoice arrears are increasing with the value of unpaid invoices (relative to 2019) significantly up across all sectors
  • Almost two thirds of microenterprises and small businesses have experienced both an increase in the value owed to them and an increase in the proportion of debt that is owed to them that is now in excess of 90-days past due

Speaking this morning, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said,

“Our research clearly shows that the hard work of restarting our economy is only beginning.

Even in the absence of further waves of COVID-19 there is an immense body of work to be done to restore economic normality. The State will continue to have a large part to play in this as, despite all that has been done, much more government action needs to occur. 

What our research shows us this morning will not be surprising: small businesses have been the worst hit. Self-employed and sole traders have closed entirely, invoice arrears are increasing, contributing to growing debt levels – and all of these problems are amplified for small businesses.

Under normal circumstances, we seek to make the business environment more competitive relative to other economies. During a health pandemic, the pursuit of economic competitiveness is now very different. Throughout the crisis, we have been guided by public health advice, and with this we have always been very conscious that the re-opening will be complex, and a risk of a second outbreak is very real.

We have repeatedly cautioned that if re-opening is not done properly, we risk doing even more damage to the economy. It is for this reason that we need dramatic financial intervention to support SMEs while they continue trading and retain jobs.

If jobs are to be saved, if businesses are to stay trading, we need to see certainty and clarity on the longer-term economic supports so that businesses can plan for their future. These supports need to address liquidity and cover overheads. Otherwise debt, which is mounting for many businesses, will sink them.

At the outset of the crisis, we compared COVID-19 to a mini economic ice-age, and that the “un-freezing” of the economy would need far-reaching, ambitious measures to support businesses to re-open and recover. Now is the time for these interventions. At minimum, this will need to include a year-long waiver for impacted business from Commercial Rates, additional funding for Local Authorities, expanded grant aid, and a targeted extension of the Wage Subsidy Scheme for the greater part of the remainder of 2020.

Our members are also very mindful of the fact that many of the new supports that will need to be put in place will require a new Government, or at the very least, an Oireachtas empowered to legislate. Certainty on policy, supported by legislation and followed by rapid financial intervention, cannot come soon enough.

In the medium term, the next Programme for Government must urgently address the crisis facing local economies. This must include the financing of an ambitious package of support that invests billions, rather than millions, of euro. Otherwise we will see our cities and towns wither further.

We also need to look beyond the direct supports to business and consider the bigger picture. Investment in infrastructure and housing must be the centrepiece of a new Programme for Government. Town centres will be at the heart of our economic recovery, if they are not – we are looking into a decade of stunted growth.

If the pursuit of regional development, job creation and more sustainable local economies is to have any chance of success, there must be a realistically resourced commitment to its delivery.”

Priorities for a Programme for Government

  • Commitment to efficient delivery of key infrastructure projects from transport and housing to energy and water. Retaining the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan is critical to the productivity and sustainability of the Irish economy
  • National Taskforce for Town Centres, led by the Department of the Taoiseach
  • Urgent review of the existing third level funding structures so that a sustainable long-term funding model can be put in place that will address the current and capital funding needs of these institutions
  • Introduction of legislation to expand the powers of our cities and towns to address vacancies
  • Introduction of legislation that is needed to support the development of an offshore wind development

-ENDS- 

For further information contact Gabriel Doran, Communications & Media Executive on 01 400 4331, 086 608 1605 or email Gabriel.Doran@chambers.ie

Further Notes

  • To access the Survey Results Report for this latest COVID-19 Business Community Survey conducted from 28th May to 2nd June 2020, click here
  • To access the Chambers Ireland ‘Places Matter’ General Election 2020 Manifesto, click here
  • To access the Survey Results Report on the sectoral and regional impact of COVID-19, from the third Chambers Ireland COVID-19 Business Impacts Survey, click here
  • To access the Survey Results Report from the third Chambers Ireland COVID-19 Business Impacts survey, published on 30th April 2020, click here
  • To access the Survey Results Report from the second Chambers Ireland COVID-19 Business Impacts Survey, published on 9th April 2020, click here
  • To access the Survey Results Report from the first Chambers Ireland COVID-19 Business Impacts Survey, published on 24th March 2020, click here
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