The Growth Company have launched an urgent programme of support for thousands of Greater Manchester retail workers at risk of losing their jobs or already made redundant. The economic impact of long-term store closures due to coronavirus is now starting to take its toll, with many large employers warning of potential job cuts. The owner of restaurant chains Café Rouge and Bella Italia fell into administration recently, with 91 Casual Dining Group outlets closing immediately. The group is cutting 1,900 jobs. Administrators have also been appointed at intu Properties, placing further uncertainty over the jobs of thousands of shopworkers at large regional shopping centres including Greater Manchester’s intu Trafford Centre.

In response to the growing uncertainty facing retail workers and employers, The Growth Company has provided specific advice for retail sector workers via the Employ GM website employgm.org/support-for-retail/. Support for retail businesses seeking help is being made available by the GC Business Growth Hub’s coronavirus microsite www.businessgrowthhub.com/coronavirus/here-for-retail-hub

Delivered by the Growth Company in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and numerous delivery Partners, the EmployGM website employgm.org was established at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic to support jobseekers and employers with vacancies. Specific support for retail workers includes:

• Careers advice
• Skills support
• Redundancy advice
• Vacancy signposting

Part of the Growth Company’s #HereForBusiness campaign, the GC Business Growth Hub coronavirus microsite contains general information for companies contending with the impact of covid-19, with specific information for the retail sector via a Here For Retail section.