HAVING been the managing director of a small specialist company here in Taunton for a number of years, the impact of Covid-19 is relentless for every business and will be for some time to come.

I have real concern for many other business owners in the town who are affected more evidently than ours, requiring once again to fully close.

No one could accuse the Government of being predictable!

On Friday, they were telling us that there would be no national lockdown and that the Job Retention Scheme was ending and to be replaced by the new Job Support Scheme.

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The next day they announced a national lockdown from Thursday of this week and an extension of the Job Retention Scheme (furloughing), until December 2020!

My message to the wider Taunton community post-lockdown is, forget the multinational online trading companies for your shopping spree this Christmas, support your local businesses in the town, especially those independents who are usually tucked away in the side streets or small courtyards who make Taunton a little special!

PAUL PROUSE
Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, Priorswood