It is incredible to see the entrepreneurial energy of this country coming to the forefront even in, or perhaps because of, such difficult times. This is a massively positive indicator and a reason for optimism, commercial confidence, and belief in the future of the UK economy. 

Over the years I have seen many recessions, depressions and downturns, including the Three-Day Week when the electric supply was cut off.

We literally could not keep the lights on in our businesses or provide power to run them. At that time there was no modern technology to help us get through. No furlough scheme, no government subsidies, no grants, no rate rebates.

This pandemic is no different from these massive setbacks. We have survived them all. With incremental daily improvements in service and processes, small businesses in the country will more than survive but thrive.

Andy Grove, former chief executive of Intel, once said: “Bad companies are destroyed by crises, good companies survive them, great companies are improved by them.”  

I agree with this 100 per cent. Now is the time to get back to business.  

Peter Done is chief executive and founder of the Peninsula Group