THE North East England Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the wide and far-reaching Government measures to support businesses in this current difficult situation and is also delivering its own support to hundreds of regional companies.

James Ramsbotham, chamber chief executive said: “Coronavirus presents every business in our region with really tough challenges and they need help to get through them.

“We represent 3,000 businesses from major multi-nationals to self-employed consultants and are in the best possible position to help ensure they get whatever they need, to come out of this crisis.

“We have launched our own £100k membership relief fund and are updating people daily on the latest Government packages available as well advice on how to manage this current emergency.

“There are still some measures we need to see introduced such as more help for self-employed people who are struggling.

“My message to the North-East business community is together we grow stronger and we are there to help in any way we can.”

The chamber is part of the British Chambers of Commerce network which is in regular contact with Government and feeding in information on what the region’s businesses need and the urgency of those requirements.

There are a number of North-East businesses who are still able to support others in a wide range of ways.

These include chamber member Moody Logistics in Cramlington which is playing an important role in keeping supply chains moving and Haltwhistle-based AGMA, a world-leading manufacturer of solutions for cleanroom sanitisation and environmental hygiene.

For businesses who are now having to adopt homeworking Business Durham is offering up to 40 per cent grants to County Durham businesses covering equipment.

While Duco Digital is offering free marketing advice on things like websites, social media, SEO and eCommerce to businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.