With our economy re-opening, the hard work is only beginning and Regional differentials risk being exacerbated
Chambers Ireland and it’s nationwide network of Chambers has published results from a survey of the Irish business community. This survey sought to quantify and highlight the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in our towns, cities and regions across the country.
The fourth in a series, the survey has 1,320 responses and was conducted between the 28th May and 2nd June 2020.
The latest survey took a read of the business environment in Phase 1 of our economy’s re-opening following the COVID-19 restrictions.
The headline findings are:
• Business activity levels are extremely low, for those businesses that have returned to operation under Phase 1
• Businesses that have opened are typically experiencing less than half of their usual levels of business activity for this time of year
• The median expected revenue over the next three months (relative to what they would have expected to be earning in a typical year) has risen from -60% to -50% over the next three months, so most businesses expect their earnings over the coming three months to be half the normal amount.
• 25% of businesses expect to have earnings that are -70% of their usual level
• The impact of revenue decline is being felt more strongly in the regions, notably in the West, Border counties and the South East
• Smaller operators have seen revenue reduced most significantly, again compounding regional effects for areas which do not have large employers
• Invoice arrears are increasing with the value of unpaid invoices (relative to 2019) significantly up across all sectors.
• Almost two thirds of microenterprises and small businesses have experienced both an increase in the value owed to them and an increase in the proportion of debt that is owed to them that is now in excess of 90-days past due.
Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said,
“Our research clearly shows that the hard work of restarting our economy is only beginning. Even in the absence of further waves of COVID-19 there is an immense body of work to be done to restore economic normality. The State will continue to have a large part to play in this as, despite all that has been done, much more government action needs to occur.
What our research shows us will not be surprising: small businesses have been the worst hit. Self-employed and sole traders have closed entirely, invoice arrears are increasing, contributing to growing debt levels – and all of these problems are amplified for small businesses.
Under normal circumstances, we seek to make the business environment more competitive relative to other economies. During a health pandemic, the pursuit of economic competitiveness is now very different. Throughout the crisis, we have been guided by public health advice, and with this we have always been very conscious that the re-opening will be complex, and a risk of a second outbreak is very real.
We have repeatedly cautioned that if re-opening is not done properly, we risk doing even more damage to the economy. It is for this reason that we need dramatic financial intervention to support SMEs while they continue trading and retain jobs.
If jobs are to be saved, if businesses are to stay trading, we need to see certainty and clarity on the longer-term economic supports so that businesses can plan for their future. These supports need to address liquidity and cover overheads. Otherwise debt, which is mounting for many businesses, will sink them.”
“At the outset of the crisis, we compared COVID-19 to a mini economic ice-age, and that the “un-freezing” of the economy would need far-reaching, ambitious measures to support businesses to re-open and recover. Now is the time for these interventions. At minimum, this will need to include a year-long waiver for impacted business from Commercial Rates, additional funding for Local Authorities, expanded grant aid, and a targeted extension of the Wage Subsidy Scheme for the greater part of the remainder of 2020.”
Toni Forrester, CEO of Letterkenny Chamber that returned 12% of the survey results said, “Donegal businesses like all across the country expect this to be a very tough year and we are impacted disproportionately because of the size of our small business sector and the lack of investment in the NW region over many years. As a border region we have been impacted by Brexit and are still concerned about a no deal scenario happening this year . In addition there has always been a regional disparity in economic development with less investment in the North West Region. We therefore call on the government however that is made up to commit to delivering on the Ireland 2040 Plan and to ensure that any infrastructure and capital projects for the North West are delivered as promised.”
“During this Covid-19 crisis businesses have innovated, Donegal is seen as an excellent destination for remote working, we now need Governement to ensure that we have the infrastructure, connectivity and investment needed to create opportunities for the economic development and success of this region”.
Chambers Ireland CEO Ian Talbot continues “in the medium term, the next Programme for Government must urgently address the crisis facing local economies. This must include the financing of an ambitious package of support that invests billions, rather than millions, of euro. Otherwise we will see our cities and towns wither further.
We also need to look beyond the direct supports to business and consider the bigger picture. Investment in infrastructure and housing must be the centre-piece of a new Programme for Government. Town Centres will be at the heart of our economic recovery, if they are not – we are looking into a decade of stunted growth.
If the pursuit of regional development, job creation and more sustainable local economies is to have any chance of success, there must be a realistically resourced commitment to its delivery.”
Priorities for a Programme for Government
• Commitment to efficient delivery of key infrastructure projects from transport and housing to energy and water. Retaining the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan is critical to the productivity and sustainability of the Irish economy
• National Taskforce for Town Centres, led by the Department of the Taoiseach
• Urgent review of the existing third level funding structures so that a sustainable long-term funding model can be put in place that will address the current and capital funding needs of these institutions
• Introduction of legislation to expand the powers of our cities and towns to address vacancies
