At times like these, businesses need support and many out there are facing changes no one anticipated a few months ago.

All over the UK, communities are coming together to keep an eye on the most vulnerable. Most local communities are setting up support groups to safely deliver urgent goods to those in self-isolation.

If you feel able, you may be able to lend your support to a local community group or keep an eye out for a friend or neighbour who needs help. Don’t forget to stay at least 2m apart and don’t take unnecessary risks to either your own health or theirs.

Sadly, it has also come to light that some unscrupulous criminals are preying on the fears of others by selling testing kits or promising to collect goods or groceries on behalf of vulnerable adults, even knocking on doors claiming to be there to test adults on behalf of the health authority.

The Local Government Association (The LGA) is advising people not to accept help from cold-callers.

This means being suspicious of anyone who offers help, either online or in person, the Local Government Association warned, after councils in Rochdale and south London received reports of attempted scams.

Fluid has been awarded the highest level of service award by customer service system, Feefo. The independent seal of approval recognises businesses delivering exceptional experiences based on ratings by real customers.

We advise the industry to watch out for specific business related coronavirus scams after advice issued by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau who says it has recorded 200 cases of fraudulent emails being sent, which include scammers who:

For many of us, working at home might be commonplace and for some a totally new experience. Coupled with the extra challenges with children requiring support as they are now out of school for this extended period of time, home working may not be as straight forward as it sounds.

The BPMA has scheduled a series of webinars to ensure members are kept up to date with developments in the UK economy, funding and assistance from Government and how the industry is responding to the unprecedented events surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

At the start of the year, the UK economy approached the year positively. The refreshed optimism saw long held budgets being unlocked and order books filling. A few short months later and we find ourselves facing a very different period ahead.

With all advice pointing to keeping it clean, here is a summary of what we can all do to help stop the spread of infection.

With bookings underway for September 2020 and January 2021, Merchandise World organisers have issued a Coronavirus Refund Guarantee for exhibitors.

With news that the Government has confirmed on Wednesday 4^th March that SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) will be paid from day one rather than the current day four, we set out the current advice compiled by BPMA member benefit provider, Croner.

With the news from Government on Tuesday 3^rd March about the potential risks and spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the launch of its plan the BPMA has summarised the practical ways in which we can all play a part in helping stop the escalation and how we can support members.