A Christmas message from Love Business
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 18 December 2020
UPDATED: 18 December 2020
Well… what a year it’s been.
Who could have predicted at the start of 2020 what would have unfolded over the past 12 months?
This time last year, there was a sense of optimism in the air that the uncertainty that had dogged much of 2019 was finally starting to clear and we could look ahead to 2020 with confidence.
However, coronavirus had other ideas and the best laid plans of businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire were thrown into disarray as the fallout from the pandemic started to bite.
Whole swathes of the economy were locked down and thousands of workers were put on enforced temporary leave as the Government tried to limit the spread of the virus.
There were casualties, which has been heart-breaking to see.
Businesses have been forced to close for good, jobs have been lost and, sadly, many families have lost loved ones up and down the country.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them this Christmas.
Bringing out the best in people
However, times of national crisis can also bring out the best in people, and businesses across the region did their bit to pull together to help others, spot new opportunities and adapt to new ways of working.
The need to protect people’s health and the NHS and prevent the spread of the virus meant we all had to make sacrifices – some big, some small – to support the national effort.
Throughout it all, Love Business News has been determined to shine a light on the excellent work that has gone on across the Heart of the Midlands, as businesses pulled together to support those in need, ensure vital PPE reached frontline workers, get food and supplies to society’s most vulnerable, and keep people on furlough in high spirits.
It’s been great to see the way that businesses have lent their expertise and resources to support the UK at its time of need.
Over the course of the year, we’ve tried to capture as much of this positivity as possible on our news site, as well as provide valuable resources and advice via our dedicated COVID-19 hub, to help business make the most of the situation and emerge stronger on the other side.
Local firms have also been involved in an enormous amount of work in support of charities throughout the year and again, we’ve tried to highlight as much of this as possible.
A history of ‘giving back’ to be proud of
A rich seam of altruism runs through our veins in this part of the East Midlands, where we truly care about one another.
You need only look back at the history of our three counties, and some of the organisations and individuals that have pioneered in this area, to see just how much ‘giving back’ has engrained itself within our region’s DNA.
It is this kindness, selflessness and compassion that will stand our three counties in good stead as we begin the rebuilding job as things start to get back to normal in 2021.
That’s not to say there won’t be challenges ahead. At the time of writing, nobody can say with any certainty whether the Government will manage to get a Brexit deal over the line and what it might look like. Whatever happens, businesses in the region will need to get to grips with a new way of working with their European counterparts.
And there is also the need to make up lost ground in terms of the economic output – and jobs – that have been lost this year as a result of the pandemic.
It’s a big job, but if anyone can make it succeed, it’s the businesses in the Heart of the Midlands, who will continue to innovate, export and drive the economy forward in the same way we always have.
Which brings us to Love Business.
An exciting new chapter in the Love Business story
Sadly, there won’t be a physical Love Business Expo in 2021. Continuing social distancing restrictions make it all but impossible.
We are both grateful and lucky to have been able to hold our event in 2020 – the last major business expo in the region before the pandemic really took hold.
It was once again an amazing day, attracting record numbers of exhibitors and delegates and creating a real buzz about all that is great about the Heart of the Midlands.
However, we have some exciting developments to announce next year about the support Love Business News will continue to provide to help local businesses grow.
With an exciting new partnership behind the Love Business News website, to give it new energy and focus as a hub for good news and positivity for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, we aim to help as many local organisations as possible to share their stories and get their message heard.
Watch this space for details, we’re really excited to let you in on the secret and are sure you’ll benefit from the opportunities it will bring.
All that leaves is for us to wish you a safe and restful Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
2020 has been a rollercoaster, but there is some light on the horizon.
If we all pull together, we can make 2021 our best year ever.
Stay safe and well, look out for each other.
The Love Business News team
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