Legal experts in North Wales are reassuring businesses that they are on hand to offer advice about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting them.
Lawyers at Lanyon Bowdler say they have seen a massive rise in demand for advice during the week while businesses wrestle with unprecedented uncertainty following the coronavirus outbreak.
Edward Nutting, head of the firm’s Conwy office, said his team had been inundated with calls from worried business owners and individuals about a range of issues – from dealing with staff sickness pay to emergency will writing, and advising on the effect on house buying and selling.
He said:
“The main message we want to get out to people is that we are here to help – and will remain available for as long as our clients need us.
“Running a business is stressful at the best of times, but people are being stretched to breaking point at the moment.
“It’s absolutely vital that people realise we are at the end of the phone and can help them with whatever legal issues they may have.
“In the past couple of days we have spoken to a wide range of people, helping with issues like their legal responsibilities regarding statutory sickness pay, as well as advising them how to access the various government support schemes on offer.
“There are differences depending on whether a business is based in Wales or England, as we work with people all over North Wales and into Shropshire, so it’s important that businesses understand that.
“We have a special page on our website at www.lblaw.co.uk with a huge array of information about how businesses can deal with the coronavirus outbreak, which is being updated regularly.
“We are here to help and open for business as usual, although we would advise people to call or email rather than visiting the office themselves.”
More details are being published almost daily by both the UK and Welsh government about what financial support is being offered, principally the business interruption loan scheme and business rate relief.
For further information, businesses can visit the Development Bank of Wales Website or call 0800 587 4140.
For further support and business advice please contact Business Wales on 0300 060 3000.
