COVID-19 SURVEY
finds support is out therefor livery yardsand riding schools
out moreabout the challenges facing these businesses at the moment. The surveyfound that the effects of Covid-19 arefar- reaching in the industry, but that some unexpected positives have been found. Reassuringly,many responsesindicated that support is out therefor yards– forthose who knowwhere to look. Initially,this survey wasorganised by
SEIB SURVEY S
EIB InsuranceBrokers has undertaken anationwide surveyofliveryyards and riding schools to find
Twenty-four per cent of yardshaveapplied forgovernment backed accredited loans, whilstasurprising 34%ofyards in the survey have not applied forany grants or funding from government or charity. Another common theme amongst
SEIB to find out howtheir commercial customers’ businesses arefaring at the moment, and to use the responsestoput things in placetohelpprovide support. SEIB’sdigital marketing manager,Katie Oswald said: “Manyofour commercial customersare concerned forthe future of their businesses –around two thirds of respondentsreported that their income has not returned to pre-Covid levels. Plentyofyards have accessed support from both the government and charities, including the British Horse Society. But we have found that thereare plentywho areunsurewhere to turn to forhelp– whether that be seeking financial support or advice.” The results of the SEIB survey highlighted the important role government and charitygrantsand funding have playedinhelping yards sincethe first lockdown March. Severalrespondents said theyhad benefitted from the British Horse Societyhardship fund. The need forclear communication –
and knowing wheretoaccessinformation regarding financial support and advice were found to be lacking forsome livery yard and riding school owners. One respondent claimed that “the support is therebut people don’tknowabout it.”Fiftypercent of survey respondents applied forbusiness grantsfunded by the UK and devolved governments, whilst 13% each applied forthe coronavirus job retention scheme and charitable funds –including the BHS hardship fund.
22 WINTERSPECIAL2020
respondentswas the impactthatthe return of business rateswill have on yards that arealready down on income.A cited concern wasthatfurloughing or laying off staff wasnot practical as animals still need caring for. Whilst nearly50% of respondentssaid theyturned horsesout forthe duration of the spring lockdown to reducecosts,this maynot be an option as we head intoWinter in lockdown number
two.Asaresult, yard owners could face high wage,feed and bedding costsand reinstatedbusiness ratesin the face of amuch-depleted income. Encouragingly,nearly twothirds of
livery yardsand riding schools surveyed said that interestinthe servicethey provide has either remained the same or increased sincelockdown. Other commentsmadebyrespondents reinforcedthe benefitsofoutdoor activity. These included mentions of asurge in interestinriding lessons prior to the second lockdown and appreciation of having the opportunitytotakepart in an outdoor activity. One respondent said: “parentsare trying to get their children intothe countryside,and we have lots of newriderssincewereopened.” SEIB as acompanyhas astrong belief
in ‘putting something back’ intothe marketsinwhich it
operates.Aspart of this ongoing support, the first SEIB Livery Yard and Riding School Awards were held in January
2020.These awards were introduced to celebrate and reward excellenceinlivery yard and riding school businesses which have variously been described as the ‘backbone’ of the equestrian industry. The resultsofthis survey intothe impact covid-19 has had on livery yard and riding schools will help provide further support at this much needed time.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.seib.co.uk
SEIBCommercialcustomers survey2020infographics
Forthe
latestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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