Blood from a stone

As I write this column, the terraces are cautiously opening. A glimmer of light, a slow start to economic recovery. Because it is clear that recovery will not happen any time soon. Even with the current relaxation, many entrepreneurs are still not out of debt, and due to the limited opening of the terraces, many are falling even deeper into debt. The suppliers to the catering industry now face the challenge of attracting suitably qualified staff again. After all, they too have had to make cutbacks in recent months.

There will be many more blows, not only in the retail and catering sectors, but also in the food industry. That cannot be avoided. Is the route that many production companies have been forced to take sustainable for the future? Or will we revert en masse to production as we knew it before Corona? Will the new continue alongside the old? Will there be enough production personnel available?

It remains uncertain. To what extent do you dare hire staff again with the risk that we will enter a lockdown once more? Questions to which nobody has an answer. It is part of doing business, but how much risk do you dare take?

The tax authorities grant a postponement of repayment until 1 October 2021. But in many cases, a large part of the support received must also be repaid. That is the final blow for many entrepreneurs. So is this a glimmer of hope? Many businesses will go out of business like a fuse.  

You can't get blood from a stone, so what can you do?

Saskia Stender