Frome Chamber of Commerce is encouraging all its members to read up on the next stage of the re-opening of businesses which in some cases will start tomorrow (May 13).

New guidance depends on the type of work you do, but the lifting of some areas of the lockdown is quite confusing.

The new guide explicitly names the business types which will be allowed to return to work, if they can do so safely.

The 'back to work' guidelines apply to those in essential retail like:

- supermarkets

- those in construction and manufacturing

- those working in labs and research facilities

- those administering takeaways and deliveries at restaurants and cafes

- tradesmen, cleaners and others who work in people's homes

- those who are facilitating trade or transport goods

The Government has created a guide to some of the frequently asked questions about the easing of the lockdown.

You can see that by clicking here: the government site

Meanwhile the Chamber has reacted a report by the Federation of Small Businesses released today (May 12) which warns that up to one third of businesses fear that they will never open.

The President of the Frome Chamber of Commerce told Nub News:

"The results of this survey from the FSB are of course of great concern. Many successful Frome businesses have had to put their work on hold through no fault of their own in response to this extraordinary pandemic.

And some still don't have a clear idea of when they will be open again for business. The 'back to work' guides launched today by the Government will certainly help towards planning for that day, and there is also a lot of guidance from other organisations as well they can use. But for some it will be difficult to work out how profitable their business will be working to the social distancing rules so there continues to be a need for government support.

"Frome businesses have responded magnificently to this crisis to offer vital supplies and services to help the local community through the challenges of lockdown. And we've witnessed increased support for local businesses from the community so we hope that people will continue with their quest to shop locally over the longer term.

"Frome businesses will certainly need that support."