Commenting on the government’s announcement that businesses in the beauty and leisure sectors will be allowed to reopen from tomorrow (Saturday 15 August), BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:

"Today's announcement will finally provide some hope for businesses that have so far been unable to reopen yet have worked hard to adapt their premises and keep their employees and customers safe. We must all continue to do our part, following public health advice and adhering to the measures that individual businesses have put in place to protect us.

"As we move to the next stage of managing the pandemic, the government must set out a clear pathway to enable remaining firms to reopen and take additional steps to kickstart the economy, allowing more businesses to successfully rebuild."