Is Covid19 putting your business at risk from a Cyber Attack?

INVEST in Sefton us reminding local businesses that Cyber Security never stops. New attackers, tactics and threats emerge every day… From phishing emails, ransomware and data breaches, all can seriously disrupt business operations, leading to financial loss, down time and reputational damage. The Covid19 pandemic has seen an increase in businesses asking their employees to work remotely. This has brought a new set of threats from cyber attacks targeted at insecure network connections and un-pass worded mobile devices, leaving systems open to attack. On Thursday, 15 October Investsefton is running a live interactive webinar Covid19: Protecting Your Business from Cyber Attack with Clive Campling, MD of Southport based Jigsaw Business Networks Limited. The webinar will be at Introductory level, with specialist guidance on the main security threats to your business, how to develop an employee remote working policy, and things you can do to protect your business. To book your place/s should email Sharon or Dominique at:- InvestSefton@Sefton.Gov.UK or call:- 01519343452. The Webinar will be held on Thursday, 15 October 2020, from 10.30am to 12.20pm.

Southport BID reminds people that Southport businesses remain open as new rules come in

SOUTHPORT BID is reminding people that the vast majority of Southport businesses will remain open, as new Coronavirus restrictions come into place this week. On Monday, 12 October 2020, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that Southport and the rest of the Liverpool City Region will become the 1st area in the country to move into the new Tier 3 restrictions. This will see the closure of some businesses, from Wednesday, 14 October 2020, such as:- indoor gyms, fitness studios, dance studios, sports facilities, leisure centres, betting shops, adult gaming centres and casinos. Pubs and bars can remain open, but only where they operate as if they were a restaurant; which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal. They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "Despite these new restrictions, the vast majority of the businesses in Southport will remain open. This includes our fantastic choice of shops, our restaurants, our beauty salons, hairdressers and barbers, many of our pubs which serve food, and others too. A great number of our businesses have successfully remained open throughout the whole of this pandemic with others reopening safely this Summer. Southport BID has been working very closely with venues across Town to help ensure that they are fully Covid safe and have all the correct safety measures in place. Our local businesses have put huge amounts of effort and time into operating safely, ensuring that customers and diners can social distance. We want to continue to reassure everyone that they can shop and dine out in Southport with full confidence. It is devastating to see great businesses forced to close again, but we hope this will be a very temporary measure and that they will be back open again soon. Financial support for those businesses and their staff members has been made available by the Government. We are aware that there is huge concern that these measures do not go far enough. We are ensuring these concerns, along with other BID's nationally, are shared with National BID bodies who are working with central Government to negotiate wider support. We are happy to help any of the businesses in the Southport BID area which need advice, and will continue to keep businesses updated on changes as they happen through our website and social media. It is more important than ever that local people keep taking advantage of all that our Town has to offer and support our local independents if they are to survive. We can still enjoy lunch with our household groups, or get take away coffees and take a walk with a friend and we can most certainly still start our Christmas shopping and enjoy being in a safe, open air Town."

Southport BID has recently launched the new Southport Gift Card as a way of encouraging people to support local businesses. For more details please visit:- SouthportBID.Com.

Dobbies search for Santa

THE hunt is on for Santa to work in Dobbies Southport store this Christmas. The UK's leading garden centre retailer has a host of magical in store events and experiences in the 2020 Christmas calendar and suitable candidates are being called on to fill the boots of Santa.

Dobbies is looking for people who love the spirit of Christmas to take on the role, bringing the magic of Christmas to life for customers of all ages. As well as working in the grotto, Santa will also meet with family groups at Dobbies' festive breakfast and party events.

The safety of customers and team members is Dobbies' number 1 priority and as a result the grotto experience will be different this year, as Santa and the elves will be adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A spokesperson for Dobbies said:- "At Dobbies we're proud to deliver memorable Christmas experiences. The role of Santa is perfect for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to ensure our customers have a 1st class experience and get everyone into the festive spirit. We will be closely following Government guidelines to ensure all events from our Christmas programme are safe and enjoyable for all."

Applicants are invited for the role of Santa, with a full training programme provided for those who are successful. A highly rewarding and enjoyable role guaranteed to get customers into the Christmas spirit, successful candidates will be responsible for creating memorable moments for visiting families and children.

Dobbies is looking for reliable, hard working individuals who are confident, kind and have a jolly nature. From regaling stories from the North Pole and asking children about their Christmas list, candidates will spread happiness and capture the imagination of children of all ages.

Candidates in Southport can apply to work in Santa's Grotto this Christmas now at:- Careers.Dobbies.Com.

Rural organisations join forces in proposal for amendment to Highways Act 1980

ENGLAND'S rural groups have joined forces to call for an amendment to the Highways Act 1980, which would improve safety on the public rights way of network following a spike in livestock related deaths. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), National Farmers Union (NFU), Countryside Alliance (CA) and Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) have written to Rural Affairs Minister, Lord Gardiner, outlining how the amendment would enable farmers to temporarily divert public rights of way where livestock are present. This diversion would help reduce the risk of further serious incidents happening to visitors in the countryside and allow farmers to operate their businesses safely and effectively. The proposal provides a temporary diversion for a limited period of time, following a short notice period with clear notices placed at either end of the route.

Deputy President of the CLA Mark Tufnell said:- "We believe that our proposal will help save lives. There have been a number of tragic incidents recently of walkers being killed by livestock while visiting the countryside. Our priority is people's safety, and by amending the Highways Act landowners will be empowered to take the necessary steps to protect the public."

Also commenting on the call was NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts who said:- "Sadly, we have learnt of several incidents recently in which members of the public have lost their lives. The countryside is a busy working environment, so we need to ensure that the millions of people who visit every year can continue to do so safely and responsibly. This proposed change in the law would allow farmers to quickly, easily and temporarily divert public rights of way where livestock are present to further reduce the risks."

Head of Politics at Countryside Alliance James Legge add:- "The law must recognise that the countryside is a place of work as well as recreation. The current Highways Act fails to balance the needs of farmers and land managers to raise livestock while also being able to take necessary steps to protect public safety. The proposed change in the law would enable farmers and land managers to raise livestock and protect public safety, without reducing the ability of the public to enjoy the countryside. The Government needs to recognise the problem and act to ensure the law is fair and workable, and most importantly helps prevent any further tragic loss of life."

TFA National Vice Chairman Robert Martin commented:- "The devastating loss of life that we have experienced recently in the countryside could be prevented easily by taking the simple and reasonable approach we have outlined. We want walkers to be able to enjoy the countryside safely alongside farmers going about their day to day business."

This idea was sparked by a pilot scheme in Cornwall, which used permissive paths (a route landowners allow the public to use) to offer an alternative route when livestock are being grazed on the land. The temporary diversion would solve the current problems without these drawbacks, which includes existing rights of way remaining permanently open. Although it's an option that remains a useful tool for landowners, permissive paths are not suitable in all instances as the original route must remain open, leaving walkers exposed to potential risk. The current process for permanently diverting public rights is complex and inflexible. Read the proposals in the letter to Lord Gardiner here.

Time for ministers to protect British farmers

RESPONDING to the Agriculture Bill's completion, CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "Government Ministers have successfully convinced MPs they can be trusted to protect food production standards without the need for legislation. Time and again Ministers have promised to protect British farmers from a flood of cheap imports produced to animal welfare and environmental standards far below our own. They must now make good on that promise and show that such trust is well placed. Farmers across the country will be watching Government's every move very closely from hereon in. The CLA will do all it can to support Government efforts to promote free trade; so long as their guarantee to uphold our standards and values is maintained permanently."

CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:- "The CLA will support any new free trade deals outside the EU which grow and boost UK trade, but it is imperative that equivalent standards are met in order to prevent undercutting of the UK market with products of lower environmental and animal welfare standards. Any future food imports should meet the UK's environmental standards. All farming in the UK is subject to stringent regulation designed to protect both the welfare of animals and the wider environment. Alongside high quality, safe and traceable crops and livestock, UK farmers deliver wildlife habitats and water protection through a broad variety of agri-environment programmes. It would only be fair that any future food imports via free trade agreements must also be required to meet the same environmental standards, otherwise we risk undercutting our own farmers' work in this regard."

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region