A new toolkit has been launched to help businesses operate safely as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has launched the Restart, Rebuild and Renew toolkit, which it says is open to all businesses, not just members of the chamber.

Chamber Chief Executive Rob Johnston said: “This is practical help to get businesses back on their feet.

“There’s a wealth of information on safe working practices, HR issues, access to advice, finance and grants, skills and retraining plus template letters, flowcharts and planners.

“We’re starting to see restrictions being lifted now but there won’t be a return to normality any time soon.

“Social distancing rules mean that businesses will have to operate differently and businesses don’t yet know how customer behaviour will change.

“Consumers’ priorities and preferences may have shifted under lockdown and some may be concerned about job security.

“The only thing we can say with complete confidence is that the post-lockdown world will be very different. Businesses will have to adapt and be flexible to survive and prosper. Some will need to find new markets or new routes to market. Our aim is to help them do that.”

He said the toolkit superseded its Coronavirus Toolkit, which was launched in February. The new toolkit can be found on the chamber's website.

“We understand Cumbrian businesses well and we know they have the ingenuity and drive to find a way through this, " said Rob.