The reality facing Leeds city centre businesses after weeks in lockdown

Businesses in Leeds city centre are being urged to remain patient as they face a long road to recovery.

That's the message from Andrew Cooper, chief executive of Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), which has been helping businesses access government support and advice during the pandemic.

"People are chomping at the bit, they want to get back and run their businesses but they've got to do that in a safe way," said Mr Cooper.

"A lot of businesses are now wading through the government guidance and I'm doing the same for my teams, as we want to get them out onto the streets when it's safe to do so.

"We're not feeling patient and we all want to crack on, but we've got to be patient. We have to do it in a gradual way - that's the advice being given to us.

"But it's good to see different organisations are picking up the phone and having those discussions, so we can work together for a safe city centre where people can get to the shops and cafes, and all the other things they've missed out on."

He added: "Clearly it's going to take time for people to adjust and for things to get back to some sort of normality."

Businesses across the city were forced to close when the lockdown was imposed in March, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the phased reopening of non-essential stores is due to begin in June and pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and cinemas could reopen the following month.

The government has offered struggling UK companies loans, cash grants and tax breaks as part of a £330 billion emergency support package and promised to extend its furlough scheme until the end of October.

But many firms still face an uncertain future and there are concerns about a warning from the Bank of England, which states that the coronavirus crisis will push the UK into its deepest recession in 300 years.

"We're all in the same storm, but some people's boats are rocking worse than others," said Mr Cooper.

"Now, as attention begins to return to recovery, we are in discussions with the local authority and shopping centre and building owners to co-ordinate our approach to a recovery.

"We want to work collaboratively with all businesses to get Leeds back to where it should be, but that's going to take time."

Mr Cooper believes the key to reopening the city centre and restarting the economy is rebuilding consumer confidence, by showing them they can eat, drink and shop safely.

"It's really important that people see that it's safe," he said. "We've already seen in supermarkets that they have put systems in place quickly and nimbly to remove some of that anxiety from consumers.

"When non-essential shops reopen, hopefully they'll be following the guidance that's been issued, and the example set by the supermarkets.

"Once people know they can safely go into the city centre and certain shops, I think consumer confidence will gradually grow, but that's going to take time."