'Substantial shift' in firms' plans to return staff to Liverpool city centre offices
It came as the city was boosted by lockdown restrictions easing
Tom HoughtonNorth West Business Editor
Deserted Liverpool business district at rush hour on Old Hall Street. Photo by Colin Lane
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One of Liverpool's leading business figures has said firms' plans for returning to city centre offices have undergone a "substantial shift" in recent months.
Paul Cherpeau, CEO of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said that six months ago, many in the city were expecting a "desertion" of office working, as firms became increasingly nervous about the impact of the pandemic.
However, half a year on, and with the Government's Step Three of the lockdown roadmap creating optimism in the city on Monday, he told BusinessLive many of those fears had subsided.
Mr Cherpeau said that although we are "some way off" many sectors recovering, he thinks the city's business district will come back fighting.
He said: "I think over the course of the next few weeks it's about imparting confidence in people once again.
Paul Cherpeau of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. (Image: Gareth Jones)
"Businesses have invested huge amounts in making sure they are Covid safe, they have taken a tremendous amount of precautions.
"It's of real importance that we now encourage people to make use of bars, cafes, restaurants and ultimately encourage people to come back into the city centre for their work.
"There's been a huge debate about the future of offices and I still don't think it will be the same as it was before [pre-pandemic].
"But I think whereas six months ago, we were expecting a desertion of office working almost in its entirety, there's been a substantial shift in recent months.
"Businesses that we're speaking to are very much embracing this concept of hybrid working, flexible working and their ideas are already starting to develop quite considerably.
"The pandemic and the working arrangements have demonstrated that you can achieve the best of both worlds."
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Mr Cherpeau referenced various national firms that have already committed to new ways of working - including KPMG's 'four-day fortnight' and Nationwide letting staff work where they like.
He added: "Other businesses are suggesting that they will expect people to be in the office about two days a week.
"I think we've really seen a shift within professional services firms in particular where at least a presence in the office is really important.
"And I think for us collectively as city centre workers and businesses, ensuring that people have confidence and the opportunity to come back into the city centre is really important.
"There's also the huge consideration around mental health and huge challenges around productivity.
"City economies are built around large numbers of people coming into the business district, going to the retail sector, coming into bars, restaurants and cafes, and effectively spending disposable cash to keep things going."
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Also speaking to BusinessLive on Monday was Andrew Ruffler, CEO of Professional Liverpool.
Mr Ruffler said Monday's reopening was a "huge" moment in allowing the professional services community to meet face to face in indoor-hospitality venues.
He said: "It's the opportunity to start re-establishing those relationships, those networks which have been sorely missed."
Mr Ruffler was also asked how the city's business community will come back - and if we will ever see the commercial district and Old Hall Street flooded with commuters at rush hour ever again.
He said: "There's a real split in the community in terms of those organisations that are perhaps national or international firms, and those who are much more owner-managed businesses.
"I think the larger organisations will take a much more medium to longer-term view on how they are going to bring individuals into their offices, whereas the smaller businesses which still make up a huge part of our community, are more likely to be much more flexible in looking to bring people back, because they recognise the importance of the network they are part of here in Liverpool.
"I would say we are going to see a gradual return.
"If all goes according to plan, I would expect September to be the period where we start to properly see this area and Old Hall Street return to something like the pre-March 2020 levels of activity although as we've said, how that plays out during the working day is yet to be seen."
Despite reports yesterday that there is "increasing confidence" the Covid vaccines work against the new Indian variant of the virus, Mr Ruffler said that, and other emerging variants, will come as a "concern" to some
He said: "There is a concern. People still need to maintain an awareness of the measures in place - hands, face, space. It's really important that we are still adhering to the health and safety guidance that is given.
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"I think until we have further detail about the variant its difficult to say if its going to have an impact, but it is going to cause an anxiety for people whether they've had the vaccine or not.
"It comes down to individuals' fears. All we can do as a professional community is continue to say the right messages around adhering to guidance, making that sure people's offices are Covid safe, and do as much as we can to ensure people are as safe as possible when networking or engaging."