The route out of Lockdown: reopening of businesses and venues

Camilo Pires February 26, 2021 0 Comments

Like all of us here at O’Brien Media, you have probably been following all the news regarding the latest lockdown. On Wednesday 24th February, the government published their official guidance detailing the steps in which the UK will progress from this lockdown. This blog post will summarise each of the steps and the key points that each involves in regard to the reopening of businesses and...

Greater flexibility announced for Bounce Back Loan repayments

Camilo Pires February 15, 2021 0 Comments

On the 8th February, the government announced that businesses that have taken out the government=backed Bounce Back Loans to help deal with the COVID-19 impact, now have greater flexibility in terms of repayment. What has the chancellor announced? The key aspect of the Chancellor’s announcement is that loan borrowers will be able to delay all repayments for a further six months. There is also...

Doing business is harder than ever. Square have made things a little easier.

Chris Grant January 14, 2021 0 Comments

As you guide your business through the lockdown, you can ease the effects while continuing to reach customers with the proper tools, including payment services by Square. Pause your Square subscriptions. Square know that your spending decisions are more important than ever. Pause any Square subscription you have for up to three months. Learn more here. New online payment rates. Online payment...

Read about how Vocavio, Coffee Plant, and Responsive Personnel handled 2020

Alex Swabey January 14, 2021 0 Comments

A few weeks ago we asked our customers how they coped during 2020, with lockdowns, confusing guidelines, and tough trading conditions. Here are the stories of the three customers who have got in touch so far about their experiences, Vocavio, Coffee Plant, and Responsive Personnel. You can read about their stories using the article links below: We're still in the process of creating more blog...

Which shops can open in lockdown and what are the rules?

Chris Grant January 14, 2021 0 Comments

Non-essential shops are currently closed as part of a national lockdown to combat coronavirus although they are currently allowed to open for click and collect, although from Saturday, Scotland will follow Northern Ireland in restricting this service to essential retailers. Which retailers are allowed to open? Any retailer selling "essential" goods and services may stay open to the public as...

Danny Kimber, Managing Director of Responsive Personnel, looks back on 2020

Camilo Pires January 10, 2021 0 Comments

We here at O’Brien Media have asked our customers how they have found 2020 to be. Through the various lockdowns and guidelines, Danny Kimber shares how he and his team at Responsive Personnel have coped throughout these testing and unprecedented times. They also share how we here at O’Brien Media have helped them throughout the 2020. Who would of thought that 2020 would pan out the way it has...

Beware of COVID scams circulating in the UK

Chris Grant January 09, 2021 0 Comments

In recent weeks a number of attempted COVID-19 related scams have emerged across the country, including: people receiving text messages informing them that they are ‘eligible’ to apply for a vaccine and then asking them to provide bank details people receiving text messages that claim to be from the HMRC inviting them to claim for a ‘grant’ scammers looking to take advantage of...

Summary of existing government economic support for businesses

Chris Grant January 08, 2021 0 Comments

New Coronavirus (COVID‑19) support measures have been made available to employers and the self-employed, including sole traders and limited company directors, across the UK. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief, "time to pay" periods, and cash grants, whether your business is open or closed. Use the business support finder at gov.uk to see what support is available for you and your...

We are here for you throughout the 3rd Lockdown for the UK

Chris Grant January 06, 2021 0 Comments

With Coronavirus having now triggered a Level 5 alert, and a national lockdown being in place in all four nations of the UK we want to reiterate what the situation is at O'Brien Media to reassure you that we are here for you and your business. In brief We are here for you throughout this global pandemic, and the UK's 3rd lockdown, and will work with you to ensure that your business can continue...

Conor Mckenna, Director of Bristol based Vocavio Technologies looks back on 2020

Camilo Pires January 05, 2021 0 Comments

We here at O’Brien Media have asked our customers how they have found 2020 to be. Through the various lockdowns and guidelines, Conor Mckenna shares how they and Vocavio Technologies have coped throughout these testing and unprecedented times. They also share how we here at O’Brien Media have helped them throughout the year. In a year where many took stock of how they engaged customers, it...

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