Coronavirus

May- 2020 -

12 May

Reopening independent stores must be part of first phase of exit plan, says Bira

Independent retail businesses can offer a safe shopping environment and will help keep people within their local communities’, says the head of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Andrew Goodacre is calling for small independent shops to reopen during the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions outlined in government documents.…

11 May

Dogs at risk of separation anxiety once lockdown is over

Pet owners are being warned that their dogs could develop separation anxiety once the Covid-19 lockdown ends, having become accustomed to extra human attention while their owners are at home. Burns Pet Nutrition, a Welsh pet food company founded by veterinary surgeon John Burns, has warned dog owners that their…

11 May

Pets Corner reopens further 12 garden centre sites in UK

Pets Corner has reopened a further 12 sites in garden centres across the UK amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Following discussions with landlords, Pets Corner has announced the reopening of its sites in Braintree Garden Centre, Crawley Garden Centre, Longacres, Melbicks, Palmers and Warerslide, alongside six Dobbies Garden Centres in Essex,…

7 May

Dogs Trust donates vital equipment to NHS amid Covid-19 crisis

Dogs Trust is helping to support the national effort in the fight against coronavirus by donating vital medical equipment to the NHS. The charity’s rehoming centres rallied together in support of our incredible health service – with Dogs Trust Loughborough donating 120 surgical gowns to nearby Lings Bar Hospital Meanwhile,…

7 May

Mutneys Professional Pet Care helps keep dogs healthy amid Covid-19 lockdown

Dog grooming product supplier Mutneys Professional Pet Care has launched its campaign to help pet owners keep their dogs’ coats healthy during the coronavirus lockdown. It has developed a series of free simple guides to home grooming which are available to professional dog groomers to pass on to their clients…

6 May

Interzoo organisers postpone event amid Covid-19 virus

Global pets market event Interzoo has been rescheduled to take place in June next, with Zoomark International moving to 2022 to accommodate the change due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Interzoo, which was set to take place on 19 May- 22 and Zoomark scheduled for 10 May-13 May 2021. Organisers announced…

6 May

Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022

A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the government’s latest efforts to “reduce uncertainty” for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic. Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…

6 May

Blagdon launches online diagnostic tool amid Covid-19 crisis

Water garden product company Blagdon has launched its online diagnostic tool to help pond keepers social distancing and self-isolating at home. Blagdon’s tool is designed to help gardeners cut down on non-essential trips away from the home and allows them to diagnose common fish and pond problems from the safety…

6 May

Interpet launches free diagnostic tool to help aquarium owners at home

Interpet has officially launched a free diagnostic tool for aquarium owners abiding by movement restrictions during the current Covid-19 crisis so they can identify and solve aquarium or fish problems. The aquatics brand’s tool has been designed to help users diagnose common fish and fish tank problems with ease in…

5 May

Furlough errors could cost small firms

SMEs are making errors on their applications for the Government’s furlough scheme, meaning they will have to repay thousands of pounds back to HMRC later, accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has said. The firm explained it has seen many small business applications for the furlough grant that includes the cost…