Grant McKnight Blog

  Region’s leaders slam new Covid measures West Midlands leaders have expressed their anger at the Government’s handling of a new three-tier Covid-19 system – as tighter restrictions were placed on the region. Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton have all been categorised as ‘high risk’, the second of the three tiers. Under new measures, residents will, from Wednesday, be banned from mixing with other households in any indoor setting, including hospitality venues. MPs are expected to debate and vote on the measures today. While Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week announced a package of support for businesses forced to close due to tighter measures, no new support has been made available to firms in ‘high risk’ category areas. Disappointed and frustrated Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has joined West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward in criticising the Government’s handling of Covid restrictions. Chamber chief executiv

  Keeping businesses connected through Covid crisis As businesses grapple with ever-changing conditions imposed by the Covid-19, networking group Sutton Coldfield Business Connections is calling for the business community to come together in a bid to survive the crisis. The free networking group, run by Michelle Stammers in partnership with Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, meets at the Townhouse Hotel and Bar every two months and connects around 80 businesses. With face-to-face networking on the backburner for the foreseeable future, Sutton Business Connections is creating a virtual community for its 250 members to bring businesses back together. While Michelle is keen to get everyone back together as soon as possible, she’s eager to address the need to connect right now. She said: "We can’t wait to be able to meet up in person, but in the meantime we want to reconnect Sutton businesses so we can help each other recover from the Covid crisis.” Chartered accountants and busine