This month, many of us were hopeful for the eventual end to lockdown on 21 June 2021. Like so many events during the pandemic, it was not to be, and we must now wait until at least 19 July to enjoy what has been called ‘Freedom Day’.

Understandably this is frustrating, not least for those businesses and sectors that are still required to remain closed during this period. For these hard-hit industries, the news will have been devastating.

However, with a new date set and things looking more positive as a result of the UK’s successful vaccination programme, it is time for businesses and contractors to prepare for what may lay ahead.

Signs of growth

Already things are starting to look up for the UK economy. The Bank of England has already said that growth is on track to hit record levels and unemployment figures are dropping.

In fact, many businesses are concerned about a labour and skills shortage as they try and find new recruits to meet consumer demand.

For contractors and freelancers, the news is positive as well, with several experts and publications recording a surge in new contracts and work as employers try to fill gaps in their businesses.

Challenges remain

Of course, we are by no means out of the woods yet. Many businesses remain in a difficult position, with constrained cash flow, as they look to rebuild and recover from the events of the last 18 months.

Adapt and overcome

Now we have a clearer picture of what the end of lockdown may look like, it is time for businesses and contractors to prepare for a new way of life.

At least for the time being, things are unlikely to return to how they were pre-covid. It is difficult to truly predict what life may be like in many sectors once the pandemic ends.

There are already suggestions that the Government may legislate to make flexible, remote working an entrenched right and there are clearly challenges ahead, as we have identified.

To succeed, businesses need to remain adaptable and quick to change if they are going to succeed.

Our personal lives

For many of us, it has been hard to separate our personal and work lives in the last year. As we emerge from lockdown, we need to take the time to rediscover the activities and things that we loved pre-covid.

Whether that is once again returning to live music events or just reconnecting with family and friends.

It is clear that for many of us, the events of 2020/21 have had an impact on our wellbeing and our view on life, so it is important to learn from the last year and build greater resilience for the future.

Come what may, you can rely on the services of Cogent as lockdown ends. To find out more about our wide range of services, please contact us.