[G Griffin]

I must have missed something but I just can't see why you are not working.
Apart from 2 who have defaulted on payment there has been no negative vibe about it, everyone has just accepted we are working without question and are genuinely pleased to see us and to see us still working getting to meet customers I have never seen before.
Cash can be dealt with by disinfecting it if you're worried, my missus has a bag of disinfected coins if we have to give change which is very rare as we rarely see any cash.
Leave a tub or box on the doorstep and ask them to put the money in that while working if they can't pay online just empty it out and don't touch it for a week.
I think this is the way it's going to be for a long time so best get used to it, work along with it, change your routine and crack on before you're skint.

I couldn't agree more.

Wrong thread though.

[Arnold Palmer]

I don't think Soupy's business will go down the pan, I just think he's an habitual moaner. And expects us to believe his bullshit

Half of that statement is correct.

[Paul-kent]

For me the decision happens next week and it'll depend on Rishi. I literally have a week left then it goes pop. Unfortunately I find myself in the precarious position of being reliant on a Tory chancellor.

Ideally we will be off until there is some kind of relaxation in the restrictions, some kind, any kind of movement in the right direction. I hope that's in three weeks time, I hope too that the promises made are honoured.

I have been pretty busy rewriting my health and safety procedures preparing for the return to work when it comes. I still need to get more Dettol, handwash and probably face masks (It looks like they might become mandatory or at least mandatory for the social distancing justice warriors). Implementing these measures will be challenging too, not being able to do it face to face.

Even with the new measures in place it's a difficult road ahead, I still have 8 weeks of a 12 week isolation to go, same story for at least one other staff member. My manager will remain furloughed until the schools are back and although not technically in the "shielded" category I'm not letting my old man out side and am taking great delight grounding the miserable old sod.

So short answer; don't know but at least three more weeks. Unless there's no money then probably never.

Could you manage 'til June without the grant, Soupy? On the promise that you'll get it, that is.
I'd think about going back but it must difficult with you, your Dad and your manager out of action. And are you prepared to send your staff out when the country might not be ready after this second lockdown? If you're ready and your staff are willing and prepared then I would think about it.

There's no grant for me in June. I'm not self employed.

It's the furlough and council grant that I'll get. There is an issue with the council grant, I've spoken to them and they can't find my rates address, we moved recently so not sure what will happen there.

The furlough is the important thing for me though. I'll see what it looks like on Monday.

Yeah sorry, I forgot that the furlough money is supposed to come through earlier.
Could you survive on the promise of that with nothing coming in?

I'll be fine, maybe. I've got one, maybe two weeks of money left to pay payroll. Rishi has said that it'll be paid about 6 days after application is made, which will be Monday if the portal holds up. That is very tight, I have applied to the bank for a government backed loan for the short term but like 99% of other British businesses that have applied, no luck as yet.

Redrow seem ok 300 million loan

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/redrow-secures-300m-coronavirus-loan-09-04-2020/

[Smudger]

Funny that!

I think only 1.6% of businesses are getting a loan - the banks are just not playing ball

Soupy - hang on in there

Darran

[G Griffin]

Soupy and Smudger have obviously got the interests of their staff in mind, so that's good, isn't it?

[MrChurchMouse]

I haven't been working since the lock down began but I'm going to return to work this coming Monday.  As well as hopefully most of my normal customers I've also got several pencilled in whom I've missed from the last few weeks (8 week ones who'd have to wait a long time if I skipped them).   With this in mind it may prove to be a very busy return week for me though I guess I may get more cancelling/not coming to the door than usual to balance it out.   

[gary999]

I will take next week off and if there is a drop off with infection rate..i will start back the following week or the first week
in May otherwise.

[Shrek]

Iv informed my customers il be back at the beginning of May , all of them who replied seemed very happy for me to do so.
1 more week of chillaxing 

[Arnold Palmer]

I spoke to each employee over the phone yesterday, they are all desperate to get back to work. I'm going to send them all the new rams and have a "meeting" next week. Could be back at some level the following week.

[deeege]

I spoke to each employee over the phone yesterday, they are all desperate to get back to work. I'm going to send them all the new rams and have a "meeting" next week. Could be back at some level the following week.

Sounds like you have a good team there Soupy!

Not a single one of my furloughed friends are itching to get back to work. It’s a paid holiday for every single one of them.

[Arnold Palmer]

I spoke to each employee over the phone yesterday, they are all desperate to get back to work. I'm going to send them all the new rams and have a "meeting" next week. Could be back at some level the following week.

Sounds like you have a good team there Soupy!

Not a single one of my furloughed friends are itching to get back to work. It’s a paid holiday for every single one of them.

Worst holiday ever.

There were a couple of them that weren't sure, their main worry being dealing with the customers. There were a couple of instances of hostile reactions on the Thursday and Friday before we closed.

Having explained the new procedures they seemed happy enough.

[Shrek]

I think everyone was pretty scared at the beginning of the lockdown, including myself, because you just don’t know how to react and so many what if thoughts. However imo , the public are used to it now and we all know how to be around others to stay safe ( or we should do). We just have to adapt , I could go on for a while yet before working but everyday I’m waking up at 6am and itching to do work. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again (through the windows at least). Good luck soupy

[Don Kee]

I spoke to each employee over the phone yesterday, they are all desperate to get back to work. I'm going to send them all the new rams and have a "meeting" next week. Could be back at some level the following week.

Sounds like you have a good team there Soupy!

Not a single one of my furloughed friends are itching to get back to work. It’s a paid holiday for every single one of them.

Worst holiday ever.

There were a couple of them that weren't sure, there main worry being dealing with the customers. There were a couple of instances of hostile reactions on the Thursday and Friday before we closed.

Having explained the new procedures they seemed happy enough.

Good luck with it mate, they’ll be a few bumps in the road but I’m sure it’ll work out.

[NWH]

I will take next week off and if there is a drop off with infection rate..i will start back the following week or the first week
in May otherwise.

Would have made no difference if you’d had gone back a few weeks ago,you’ll still be able to catch this Virus at Xmas people are walking around with it showing no symptoms.

[G Griffin]

I might go back next week. I've been getting it right in my head and then I can work more safely. My Missus is off work earlier in the week so it might be a good time to; but then the school work starts again.
I wish things were clearer on the lockdown, testing and strategies etc but we have to make the best of it.
I can't stay off 'til September, potentially, and I'd sooner go back earlier than I wanted to and do a few hours a day, a few days a week.
And don't forget, the first May Bank Holiday is on Friday the 8th.

[KS Cleaning]

I might go back next week. I've been getting it right in my head and then I can work more safely. My Missus is off work earlier in the week so it might be a good time to; but then the school work starts again.
I wish things were clearer on the lockdown, testing and strategies etc but we have to make the best of it.
I can't stay off 'til September, potentially, and I'd sooner go back earlier than I wanted to and do a few hours a day, a few days a week.
And don't forget, the first May Bank Holiday is on Friday the 8th.

You turncoat you😜😂

[KS Cleaning]

Now that nearly everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet regards working, what are we gonna argue about now? 🤐😁

[SB Cleaning]

Well it looks like most of the ones preaching about staying at home and not working are all slowly returning to work already lads

[G Griffin]

I might go back next week. I've been getting it right in my head and then I can work more safely. My Missus is off work earlier in the week so it might be a good time to; but then the school work starts again.
I wish things were clearer on the lockdown, testing and strategies etc but we have to make the best of it.
I can't stay off 'til September, potentially, and I'd sooner go back earlier than I wanted to and do a few hours a day, a few days a week.
And don't forget, the first May Bank Holiday is on Friday the 8th.

You turncoat you😜😂

I'm not back yet!
I'd have stayed off until June, no problem. September's a different matter. If the schools don't go back my partial lockdown could be that long.
I've not been critical of anyone working, or leaving home, with good reasons. It's the ones doing it irresponsibly that I had a go at.
It's not all about window cleaning.

[G Griffin]

Well it looks like most of the ones preaching about staying at home and not working are all slowly returning to work already lads

If there was any preaching it was done to those didn't understand the guidelines and that still applies.
And there was as much, if not more, preaching from those returning to work earlier. Like yourself on this thread.