THE coronavirus pandemic has had a major effect on our country's economy and Somerset businesses have felt the strain. Hundreds of businesses across the county were forced to close their doors for months on end this year as Covid-19 hit the UK.

But Somerset Chamber of Commerce has been doing all it can to help businesses through these difficult times.

Since the first national lockdown in March The Chamber has engaged with more than 3,000 people from businesses across all sectors in Somerset and held more than 130 online events.

The Chamber's Hinkley Supply Chain team also switched to working virtually with local and regional businesses keen to work on the Hinkley Point C project and, to date, it has promoted 1,145 local and regional firms for work at site this year.

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, initially held weekly video dial-ins to keep all business informed of the latest developments.

During the pandemic Somerset Chamber of Commerce effectively worked with central Government and key policymakers, including the Treasury and the Bank of England to amplify the concerns of their members and the business community.

"No-one could have foreseen just how 2020 was going to unfold and, like our members and businesses across the county, Somerset Chamber of Commerce had to adapt quickly to the very challenging business landscape caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Henagulph said.

"As a membership organisation specialising in both events and high-quality, up-to-date business support and advice, we acted swiftly to help our members and the wider business community.

"Our physical events were cancelled and replaced with virtual, online sessions – from lunchtime networking and industry-specific forums, to specialist workshops and COVID-19 advice webinars.

"We set up a COVID-19 business support hub online to keep the business community up-to-date with the very latest developments on grant aid, restrictions and Government advice. We also shared our members’ expertise, from tax guidance and the HR implications of working from home, to furloughing staff and how to access key grants."

But it hasn't been all about Covid.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce has lobbied policymakers on a wide range of issues – from the need to upgrade poor and unreliable broadband connections across Somerset, to supporting calls for the entire A303 between the South West and London to be dualled and upgraded.

They have also been trying to help businesses prepare for Brexit next year.

"Somerset Chamber has consistently acted as the voice of business to lobby local, regional and national decision-makers and will continue to do so throughout 2021 and beyond," Mr Henagulf added.

"In March, we will be celebrating the very best of business in Somerset with the annual Somerset Business Awards which, for the first time, will be a hybrid event, broadcast online from the McMillan Theatre, in Bridgwater.

"But despite the roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine, it is clear there will still be enormous disruption for our business community well into 2021, which is why a reliable and swift test and trace system is so crucial. Coupled with the challenges of the pandemic, businesses will also need to adapt to a very different trading landscape when the Brexit transition period ends on January 1, 2021.

Businesses will need substantial and ongoing financial Government support well into 2021 and Somerset Chamber will be here to continue amplifying their concerns."