Plans to help businesses recover from the coronavirus crisis are already underway.

The York Business Improvement District (BID), Make It York and the City of York Council are co-ordinating efforts to ensure business owners have the information on how to access help they need now.

And they are also focusing on what support will be needed longer term

A website is available to provide more information on the Chancellor's package of measures to help businesses through this period of disruption.

For information on how to access these, visit www.york.gov.uk/BusinessSupport for the latest updates.

This portal summarises what help is available, how to access it, and it will be kept updated in the coming days as more information comes from the government.

Andrew Lowson, executive director of York BID, said: “We know York businesses are resilient and adaptable, and we will do everything we can to help them through this extremely difficult time.”

He added: “We are realigning BID resources into the highest priority areas which will help businesses going forward, and planning longer term how we will assist in the recovery of the business community once we have weathered this period.”

Sean Bullick, managing director of Make It York, added: “The Make It York team is focussing in the immediate term on providing businesses with access to information and services.

"We are already planning for the recovery phase by redeploying staff to assist, particularly with the distribution on the government’s emergency funding as that comes on-stream.”

Many businesses in the city centre remain open, and some can be supported by ordering goods over the phone or online for delivery. Many businesses are adapting their processes to keep trading in these challenging circumstances,.

Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the economy and strategic planning, said: “The city’s businesses are creative and resilient. As they find new and creative ways to deliver their products and services, I am sure York residents will respond and support them however they can.”

Council support confirmed so far includes:

* Talking to any of its commercial tenants about support paying rent, and working with other landlords to try and make sure all commercial tenants benefit from a considered and supportive approach.

* Implementing the government’s support on business rates, with all retail, leisure and hospitality businesses paying nothing from April 1, and one-off grants for businesses eligible for small business rates relief. The council will publish guidance on who qualifies as soon as it is available from central government.

* The council will continue to buy locally where possible and invest in the economy both in the short term and to aid the long-term recovery from floods and corona.