The partnership between a cleaning supplies business and Enfield Council has become a local success story despite the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nicolas Hygiene Supplies based on The Great Cambridge Industrial Estate went above and beyond to get critical items such as PPE and cleaning supplies to all the borough’s schools when other supply options had been exhausted.
Their prompt action enabled Enfield schools to remain open to the children of key workers and to open to reception, year one and year six. Without their PPE Supply Packages, paid for by Enfield Council, thousands of children would not have been able to return to school in safe and clean environments.
The business, run by two brothers, also helped to supply products to support the Enfield Stands Together campaign, the emergency community response to COVID-19 coordinated by Enfield Council.
At a time when supermarket shelves were empty and supply chains were severely disrupted, Nicolas Hygiene donated products such as kitchen surface cleaner to the Enfield Stands Together project.
Enfield Council’s Leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, visited the family owned business to express her thanks. She said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in extensive socio-economic disruption, hitting small and micro businesses hardest. I am glad to see Nicolas Hygiene has become a local success story and we are glad Enfield Council has been part of that journey. We are particularly grateful that their willingness to work with us helped keep schools open when help from elsewhere was not forthcoming.”
Nicolas Anastasiades co-owner of the company said: “To start with things were very difficult and we struggled as demand was high. But we are resourceful and proud of what we do. With Enfield Council we could continue to make a valuable contribution in the early days of the pandemic while securing the jobs of our staff.
“We want jobs to be alive and the economy to be moving. We are grateful for all the support we have had and will seek to continue to build on our success.”
Cllr Caliskan added: “We have taken several steps to minimise the negative impact of the coronavirus on business operations and workers. But much more action is needed and we will continue to lobby the government to make sure responses are swift and effective and businesses get the help they need, when they need it. We also want more help for our borough’s schools, particularly as they prepare for the new term in September when all children will be returning to their desks.”
Enfield Council has applied for £46 million of business rate relief, distributed £41.6 million of business rate grants and secured free registration and discounted membership to the Federation of Small Businesses. The Discretionary Business Fund, for those who have not yet received any other cash grant from government is currently available from a £2.2 million funding pot.
Find out more about support for businesses during COVID-19.