We are less than a week into Lockdown 3.0. 

While thousands of businesses have once again been forced to shut up shop temporarily during these uncertain times, a sense of community spirit is once again blossoming. 

In the first of a series of blogs we want to show how businesses have been facing up to the changing rules this pandemic has forced upon us. 

This week we look at how we have adapted our appeal to not only accommodate leisure but also corporate clients and those caring for Covid patients. 

The hospitality industry has been hit the hardest and at Charles Alexander we have been engaging with local firms to keep local shoppers aware they are still trading – no matter what the capacity. 

We have also been working with local trade organisations who have been helping out by encouraging people to stay local and shop local as a way of bucking the trend of failing local economies. 

Since the start of the pandemic we have been working with the local NHS Trust by accommodating their workers in our apartments. After approaching NHS Direct, the lodgings were let out at a special cost to key workers and they have now agreed to let out the accommodation to key workers while the pandemic is still active.

We have also engaged with corporates who have needed apartments for work while they travel.

Joanne Kirton, director, said: “Like many businesses, we have been forced to adapt to the conditions and in 2020 we welcomed a diverse range of guests to our apartments. 

“We have provided and continue to provide accommodation for NHS staff, as well as corporate guests and those people who have travelled from abroad back to the UK to isolate as well as family members who have vulnerable relatives living with them, plus welcoming guests who were unable to return home due to either insurance purposes or between house moves. 

“The pandemic has taught us many things, but the most important is that we can help people who need it the most.”

Next week, we look at how local independent businesses are coping.