Business owners challenge insurance firm in Covid losses dispute
Policyholders had their claims declined on the grounds that their business interruption policies were not designed to cover a national lockdown."I remember contacting them [the insurer] during the lockdown period and asking about the pay outs," said Ms Bahra."I just remember being told that because it wasn't a local pandemic it didn't apply to us." Following the lockdown, which forced businesses to close their doors, many firms looked to insurers to cover some of their losses under so-called business interruption policies.When Ms Bahra was declined any help from her insurer she took out a loan which she is still paying back, just to cover her bills."It's affected us not being able to pay the full amount into our mortgage, so it affected everyday life. "We should be at the end of our mortgage, we're still a long way behind so it's just made us feel like we are constantly chasing our tail."As a result, she also had to give up the salon which she opened in 2015 and go back to running her business from her home. "I found it really hard, I felt like I was failing, going backwards, to come back home," said. "It gave me a lot of anxiety and it took me three to four months to make the decision."
Solicitor Chris Guy, a director at RLK Solicitors, who is representing all of the business owners in the group action said: "They had insurance in place at the time that would cover for those losses and their insurance companies are still saying no."Mr Guy has accused the insurer of deliberately stalling to reach the six-year mark which is how long a breach of contract claim lasts."This has been their tactic from day one, it's either, let the company go bust, so the claim dies when the company dies, or alternatively they drag it out as long as they can, so the claim becomes time barred, or the business just gives up.""It is horrendous, I've had clients that have taken their own lives, I've had clients that have built a business up over decades and have had to fold it. "There have been family-run businesses for centuries that have been lost as a result of this."
Lauren Halley, 42, owner of the Beauty Room in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire is also part of the group action. "When the business was closed we contacted our insurance to make a claim on the business interruption clause and it was denied by the insurance," she said."We did take it further but they said it wasn't applicable and we couldn't get a pay out."It was part of the policy. We've been open nearly 20 years and we've paid our insurance for 20 years and when we needed to make a claim we should have been entitled to that money."Like Ms Bahra, she also took out a bounce back loan which she is still paying back."I think, if we got the money that we are entitled to it would help a lot of businesses pay off loans, that they've still got outstanding," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Family-run Staffordshire zoo faces closure without new home
A small family-run zoo has said it is at risk of closure unless it finds a bigger site. The Wild Zoological Park near Wombourne, south Staffordshire, has grown to more than five times its original size since it opened in 2016. Those who run the site bordering Wolverhampton say they need to develop new facilities and build bigger enclosures in order to add they want to find a location where they can provide a year-round education centre in order to expand a teaching programme. Zachary Hollinshead, Zoo director, said: "We just need space - we have a real capacity issue. "We want to give the animals bigger enclosures so we're looking for a farm or something like that, which would be great. "If we can't find a space we would be looking at closure because we just can't sustain the overheads that we have with the size of the site."While the summer gives the site lots of business, the zoo is faced with £40,000 monthly overheads in the winter, when it cannot operate. The company hopes that finding a new space will open new opportunities that will help its financial position. Georgia Hollinshead, general manager at the zoo, said: "What we'd really like to focus on is building an education hub so that throughout the year we can run programmes - whether it's raining or snowing we can still have people in."That would mean we can still be educating and we can still be doing what we need to do here at Wild."The team is looking for a base in either Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley or Birmingham, although remaining in south Staffordshire is preferred. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
How to land a job at a home improvement firm ahead of busiest DIY season of the year
THE countdown is on to the August bank holiday and the busiest DIY season of the year. For anyone looking to fit a new bathroom or kitchen for Christmas, the last bank holiday before then brings bargains in the end of summer sales and enough time to spruce up your home before the festive season. 1 It is also peak time for home improvement firms to hire — and there is some good news for jobseekers this year. The cost of renovating bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms has fallen for the first time since 2022, according to the latest Checkatrade Home Improvement Index, making it more affordable for cash-strapped homeowners to update their properties. As a result, most of the big-name home-improvement and DIY firms are on a recruitment drive, seeking new staff ahead of a busy autumn. Trade kitchen supplier Howdens already employs 11,600 people throughout the UK and Ireland, but is taking on 200 more, from warehouse apprentices to depot managers. One of the key roles is kitchen sales designers, with 80 new jobs available. Based in the firm's depots, the job involves helping customers plan their dream kitchen. Applicants need to be able to conduct home surveys, planning and design, manage projects from design to completion and understand building regulations. The sector is renowned for its strong career progression and many senior managers joined as apprentices or entry-level staff before working their way up. Build relationships Lauri Giambrone, director of HR trade with the firm, said: 'Our designers do more than sell kitchens. They build lasting relationships, working hand in hand with tradespeople every day to make customers' kitchen and bedroom dreams into a reality. 'Being a great kitchen sales designer is about creativity, customer relationships and sales, making it an exciting and rewarding career choice.' I swear by 7 cheap hacks to transform a newbuild house into a home - your shoes will never be left in a messy pile again Andy Attfield is the company's senior HR business partner and he said: 'People that have a willingness to learn, work hard in building trusted relationships and show entrepreneurial spirit thrive at Howdens, where the career opportunities are endless.'. Other big names in the sector include Magnet Kitchens, which has 100 vacancies, and Wickes which offers a kitchen and bathroom design service and needs 38 new staff. Find out more about opportunities available at the sites below. CLAIRE BAILEY has been with Howdens for 25 years and is a regional director for the North. She began as a business developer, making telephone sales calls but progressed to become the first female area manager in Howdens' history. Claire, 49, from Yarm, near Stockton on Tees, said: 'Kitchen sales designers will always say the best part of the job Is creating somebody's kitchen because of the joy of knowing people are going to be cooking, chatting and doing life in that space. It's lovely they have been a part of it. 'The best thing about my job is seeing people grow and develop not only as individuals but also with their careers. Howdens has given so many people opportunities and will support you in any career direction you have the enthusiasm and drive to go after, regardless of your background. 'If you want to work for Howdens, regardless of your age or experience, go and visit your local depot to get a feel for what we are about then apply for the roles. 'We offer so much support and training and we want to back people with the will.' MAKE A MEETING COUNT DO YOU have meeting fatigue? On average, office workers spend 37 per cent of their time either in meetings or coordinating them. Experts say meeting overload is 'quietly killing productivity' in workplaces. Daniel Snell from leadership consultancy Arrival has top tips to manage your meetings and get the most from them to help you work more effectively. He says: 'As budgets and resources tighten, managers need to be a lot more cost-aware and efficient. 'Here's how to show your boss you're ahead of the curve.' Protect your time: Before accepting a meeting invite, ask yourself if a meeting is the best approach for this issue or piece of work. Could we sort this out with a quick call or email instead? If there is a smarter way to make progress, it is OK to suggest an alternative. Stick to the plan: Workplaces need clear rules for running a meeting – without them, they get derailed. Always start on time. Waiting for late-comers means more lost productivity. Have a clear agenda and don't let the meeting drift into unrelated topics. Keep phones and laptops away so everyone can focus on what you are discussing. Speak up if you are confused: If you are not sure why you are in a meeting, it's OK to ask. Don't just sit there nodding – a quick, 'Can you clarify what you need from me?' will save everyone time and confusion later. Clarify decisions and ownership: Before a meeting ends, be clear on what you are expected to do. If someone says, 'We'll follow up,' ask when and how. If you are given a task, confirm the deadline. Vague endings lead to nothing getting done. Link it to the strategy: Consider whether the meeting really delivers on the company's business goals. If it doesn't contribute to what your organisation is trying to accomplish, it is probably just filling up calendars. B&Q TAKES LEAD WOMEN in management? You can do it if you B&Q it. The home improvement retailer has launched a new Women in Leadership programme to boost the number of senior female managers. Research shows women hold just 35.3 per cent of leadership positions across the FTSE 350, while the gender pay gap now stands at 13.1 per cent. Designed by women and delivered by training provider Apprentify, the scheme is open to women in the firm's stores and head office, with trainees learning how to build leadership styles, strengthen stakeholder engagement and navigate the rapidly changing workplace. Jacy Stanhope, head of learning & development, said: 'It is such an inspiring programme and it truly champions what it means to be an empowered, confident female leader. Apprentify Group's, Sophie Smith added: 'Programmes like this are so important for driving change.' Apply to work at B&Q by visiting DOG FOR VICTORY AN EX-POSTMAN has delivered himself a new role as a prison dog handler and is encouraging others to consider a career with the prison service. Daniel Allinson, 38, made the switch alongside his four-legged colleague, Kilo, at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire. The pair play a vital role in keeping staff, prisoners and the public safe and Daniel says it is the most rewarding job he has had. As part of the jail's security response team, Daniel and Kilo patrol the perimeter, search for contraband and respond to incidents. Daniel said: 'It's the best decision I've made. I get to work with dogs every day and help protect the public. Every day is different and the support and training you get is brilliant.' Dog handlers start as prison officers before progressing into the specialist unit. No previous qualifications are needed and full training is provided. Salaries start at £34,402 and the service is recruiting now. See
The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Greggs menu items launching in major supermarket – check if your favourite is available
FANS of Greggs will want to race to a major supermarket - as new menu items launch later this year. The new range of five products will be available from September. They will be available at over 800 Tesco stores across the country. Greggs' 'Bake at Home' frozen range includes a number of fan favourite food items. While the range is already available at Iceland, it is now set to go country-wide with Tesco. The frozen goodies originally launched in 2011, when the iconic sausage rolls were sold in frozen form in 10 stores across Liverpool. In the years since, the Iceland range has extended to 15 beloved products. It includes the Greggs Sausage Rolls, Cheese & Onion Bakes, Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melts, Steak Bakes, Chicken Bakes, and Bacon & Cheese Wraps, as well as Vegetable Bakes and Vegan Sausage Rolls. While Tesco haven't yet announced which products will be in their line-up, it's the perfect excuse to try out the convenient at-home baked goods. Earlier this week, the popular bakery chain launched another new offer to appeal to more customers. For the first time ever, it is offering customers a three-part breakfast deal. However, customers will need to be quick as it's only available for a limited time. I tried the 'secret' Greggs menu items only available in Scotland Previously, customers could only get a sandwich and a drink as part of the breakfast deal, but now it has been expanded. You can now grab an extra item, helping you "seriously upgrade" your meal according to Greggs. It includes a fresh fruit pot, creamy yoghurt or golden hash brown to their roll deal for £3.95, or their baguette deal for £5.10. Customers can choose between a melon and grape, or a strawberry and apple fruit pot. The offer is available at select Greggs stores from July 25. Greggs in numbers Did you know Greggs sausage rolls have 96 layers of pastry? The first Greggs opened in 1951 on Gosforth High Street. There are also 2,473 shops around the country — a thousand more than McDonald's. Greggs is now valued at £2.6billion thanks to its budget deals. Nearly £2 in every £100 spent in UK hospitality is done in a Greggs. Newcastle still remains the sausage roll capital of the UK, with Geordies scoffing 17.9 million of them a year. Alongside the new offer, Greggs are launching a delicious summer menu, complete with a variety of new sandwiches, including a Chipotle Chicken Flatbread. It comes as Greggs saw a 14.3% decline in pre-tax profit to £63.5m in the first half of this year. This was despite a 7 per cent rise in total sales to £1.03 billion. It said it had suffered from lower footfall, cost headwinds and "more weather disruption than 2024" according to Grocery Gazette. But Greggs CEO Roisin Currie said she was "very confident" in the brand's expansion plans. They currently boast 2,649 shops across the country, with the goal of opening 140 to 150 net new shops this. year. 3
