A group set up to help Cumbrian businesses navigate their way through the coronavirus pandemic is being stood down.
Cumbria’s Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group of the Local Resilience Forum was set up to provide firms with a route to raise concerns with the Government. act as an information outlet and be used by members to share experiences and lessons they had learned.
Now the UK has moved out of Plan B COVID measures, which include the lifting of rules on mandatory face coverings and the dropping of compulsory use of COVID passports for venues, it has been revealed that the group’s role will change.
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has formally adopted the group, which will now be known as the Business and Economic Advisory Group.
Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has chaired BERRG since its inception.
She said: “The move back to Plan A measures signifies a new phase, with the focus now firmly on recovery.
“BERRG members have done a fantastic job over the past two years in championing the cause of Cumbrian businesses and helping to devise measures to protect our economy from the worst effects of the pandemic.
“This excellent work across the business, public and voluntary and community sectors will continue as part of CLEP’s governance rather than under the LRF structure and signals a significant step in the journey back to normality.
“I hope that everybody who has contributed so effectively to BERRG will continue to play their part as BEAG takes on the role of supporting the continued recovery and growth of our economy and businesses.
“BERRG has provided essential ideas and intelligence, which has helped inform policy and investment decisions. The opportunity to do this will continue under the new arrangements.”
‘Vital role’
Chief Fire Officer John Beard, Chair of Cumbria’s Local Resilience Forum, said: “I’d like to thank all BERRG members for playing a vital role in defending the interests of Cumbrian business for almost two years now. The pandemic was a challenging time for all and particularly for local businesses, so the Local Resilience Forum are extremely proud to have been able to support.
“As the governance of BERRG moves over to CLEP, we can assure local businesses that an ongoing relationship and support network will continue as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic.”
CLEP business growth manager Lynsey Parke said: “Now more than ever, it’s essential that we support our businesses across the county.
“Our small businesses need targeted support and we have a range of programmes that will provide exactly what each of them needs. CLEP is here to help and we look forward to continuing to provide the right support to all of our local businesses as they deliver their recovery and growth plans.”
