Safeguarding our business

With the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

In light of recent press coverage within the media, we wanted to set the story straight with regards to the loan that has been secured by George Roberts NW Ltd from Barclays via the via the CBILS (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme), the Government-backed loan scheme.

This is not about helping us to survive, it is about safeguarding our business. On account of the additional finance, we continue to be in a strong place to support and supply our customers with expert advice, quality stock as well as reliable and fast delivery to ensure projects run smoothly throughout all sectors – as we have been doing for the past 28 years and we will continue to do so for the years to come.

Following the government lock down, we naturally experienced a reduction in orders due mainly to most construction sites being totally shut down and inaccessible. Fortunately, although significant, this was not as destructive and damaging to our business as to some of our competitors, due to the diversity of markets we operate in i.e., industrial, offshore, nuclear, oil and gas and the food and drink industry.

We applied for the ‘Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan’ with Barclays as it allowed us to respond quickly to the new financial situation around us by guaranteeing liquidity and maintaining a platform to ensure the business retains and even improve its status in the market-place going forward.

George Roberts is considered an essential service and we were fortunately able to stay open to service our clients, while carefully following government guidelines, to ensure the health and wellbeing of our loyal workforce, and therefore it was imperative to secure this loan to allow us to immediately help those in need.

We are delighted that Barclays were able to support us and we can continue to be one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of scaffolding and access equipment. We wish all our customers well during this challenging time and we look forward to positive times ahead.

Read the full Press Release here

For more information or for queries, please fill in the form below or contact our head office 0800 980 5130