An end to 2020 and bring on 2021
Business confidence improves but sectoral imbalances are strongly highlighted in the latest economic report from the regional Chambers of Commerce. The Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey of businesses which was conducted just as the second national lockdown started in November 2020, saw a manufacturing rebound following a very challenging year, with domestic and international sales up on the previous quarter for many. The report suggests that manufacturing improvements might be down to orders being brought forward or suppliers looking for more certainty by purchasing from UK companies ahead of the end of the EU transition period. Across the service sector there are significant variations with restrictions having been especially damaging for the leisure, hospitality, accommodation and catering sectors which is reflected in this quarter’s results. However, professional services, especially regulatory, compliance and essential business-to-business services, reported domestic sales had improved on the previous two quarters.
Speaking on the results, Nick Garthwaite, Chair of West & North Yorkshire Chamber said, “The COVID crisis has tested our business community to the limit and sadly we have seen many jobs lost and industries hollowed out across our region. Our city centres have seen significant downturn in footfall and our High Streets are unlikely to return back to how we knew them before the crisis.
“Yet despite all of this I remain optimistic that our economy will recover and that there are some positive messages to take from the latest Chamber findings. Clearly we are not out of the woods yet, and the imposition of the latest lockdown is testament to this but the development and roll out of a vaccine will bring some comfort to many.”
Martin Hathaway, managing director of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said of the Q4 report: “The last quarter of 2020 continued to present challenges for business communities both regionally and nationally. The pandemic has hit all industries hard, with financial pressures and the inability to plan ahead being disastrous for some. Sadly, many jobs have been lost and livelihoods destroyed as a result of Covid-19.
“The hospitality and retail sectors are still suffering from ongoing restrictions and with the announcement of another national lockdown further support is needed for businesses to survive. We have not yet made it through this crisis, but with the rollout of multiple vaccines, pricks of light are beginning to show at the end of the tunnel and we have reasons to be cautiously optimistic.
“When it comes to Brexit, we welcome the deal made with the EU as businesses now have more clarity and can start adapting to the new trading arrangements. As we commence the new year with new relationships in place, we believe Brexit will be a fantastic opportunity for businesses to forge new connections and thrive when it comes to exporting and importing from overseas.”
Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and Chair, NP11, said, “In the final quarter of 2020, there are signs of improvement in manufacturing where increasing sales have driven the sector back into growth territory for the first time since 2019. While economic activity still remains low, in both export and domestic activity, there are signs of recovery with both foreign and UK sales improving significantly from Q3.
“It is positive to see business confidence rise from the previous quarter alongside business investment which has returned to growth. Capital investment has grown in both the manufacturing and service sectors, however this positivity does contrast with the employment outlook with many businesses reporting a reduction in headcount in the last quarter.”