Business West, which supports firms across the West Country, has reacted to the latest lockdown measures imposed by Prime Minster Boris Johnson.
Phil Smith, director of Business West, said: "The lockdowns announced today are a body blow to our business communities, hard on the heels of lost trade during the festive season and uncertainty linked to the end of the Brexit transition period.
"Tens of thousands of firms are already in a precarious position, and now face a period of further hardship and difficulty.
"Billions have already been spent helping good firms to survive this unprecedented crisis and to save jobs.
"These businesses must not be allowed to fail now, when the vaccine rollout provides light at the end of this long tunnel. The financial support for businesses needs to be stepped up in line with the devastating restrictions being placed on them. Otherwise, many of these firms may simply not be there to power our recovery when we emerge once again."
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