The Coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our lives and on business. The Q2 Quarterly Economic Survey results highlight the effect on business sales, growth, confidence and cash flow as well as highlighting changes to the way we work and our approach to the workplace in the future.We were joined by David Bharier from the British Chambers of Commerce, Graham Austin, from Barclays and Heather Williams-Taplin of Demos.

With regular updates from the government it is important to be aware of the legal and financial implications returning to work may have, taking into account the future changes to the furlough scheme and how the changes will affect your business after the end of June.With further clarification now issued by the government, we will be advised by experts at Clarke Willmott and Albert Goodman.Tracey Watts, Partner at Albert Goodman, provided an update and recommendations from the accounting side including tax, NI and pensions implications of the changes faced.Kate Gardner updated on how the return to business will work, as well as providing general employment law tips and guidance.

We're joined by Atlas Safety Management who gave us an invaluable insight into the considerations for businesses when re-opening the workplace. Ensuring your staff and workplaces are safe to return to is vital as we start to unlock after the Coronavirus shutdown.

Alistair Tudor interviewed Gill Slocombe - Portfolio Holder for Inward Investment and Growth at Sedgemoor District Council, about the Small Business Grant Scheme, how businesses should apply and also the new discretionary grant from central government

Steve Ashworth from PKF Francis Clark and Kate Gardner of Clarke Willmott discuss the financial and legal implications of bringing staff back from furlough as well as your options and the risks associated.

Phil Wilson of Chamber Members Gallagher Insurance offers advice to businesses effected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Justin Sargent of Somerset Community Foundation and Carolyn Roulstone of Spark Somerset discuss funding options and strategic approaches charities can take during the COVID-19 crisis.Included are links for funding pots for charities as well as interesting points on how make sure you come out of the crisis with the best chance of success.

Further clarification and guidance on the furloughing of workers. Simon Denton, Tax Partner of Milsted Langdon runs through the tax and financial implications of the furloughing process and Kate Gardner of Somerset Chamber of Commerce Business Partners, Clarke Willmott, discusses recent tweaks to the furloughing rules. Followed by Q&A covering maternity, redundancy and holiday pay and how they relate the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Stephen Henagulph, spoke to Simon Parkin on BBC Somerset to raise the profile of the grants available to businesses via their local authority. At the moment, nearly half of businesses have accessed the funds but the local authorities are keen to reach those who may not know they have money they can claim.

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the vast majority of businesses surveyed have furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as payday approaches for many.  71 per cent of survey respondents have furloughed staff, up from 66 per cent last week Cash flow rema...

Durgan Copper, Director of Somerset Cyber Group member CETSAT, discusses the biggest threats to business and how businesses can ensure they keep their systems safe during the Coronavirus event and into the future.

The HMRC portal for accessing the funds for furloughed workers is opening on Monday 20th April 2020. Stephen got the opportunity to clarify a few points direct with HMRC and there's critical information here about payment timescales, who receives the money and what information you'll need in your application.

We were joined by Melanie Downing, Director of The Design Hive, specialising in branding, design and web development. We discussed what your brand means at the moment, how to connect with your audience and potential customers as well as touching on SEO, communications approaches, social media and blogs.

We talked to Chris Loach - Area Director of Lloyds Bank about the CBILS Scheme. What is it there for, what businesses can do to access the scheme and how to give themselves the best chance of accessing the funding.

Kate Gardner clarifies the recent guidance on the furloughing of staff, taking questions from the attendees of the webinar on Thursday 9th April