New RTÉ series Open for Business to guide and inform the business community & consumers as the country emerges from lockdown is announced

As Ireland re-opens for business once again, RTÉ has announced a new six-part business series to help Irish businesses and consumers on their journey as they try to navigate their way in this new & constantly shifting Covid-19 world.

Open for Business is a brand-new studio-based series for RTÉ One and will be broadcast from Tuesday, 21st of July at 7pm. Presented by journalists & broadcasters Richard Curran & Ella McSweeney, the series will be packed with a mix of fresh, useful information and advice to guide businesses, employers and employees – as well as consumers – trying to operate in this new normal.It is part of RTÉ’s #BoostMyBusiness, which will see content across RTÉ helping Irish businesses bounce back. RTÉ will be supporting and promoting small and medium enterprises, around the country, as they deal with the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead. It will highlight how powerful community support can be to local life, and to the greater economy.

Businesses have never had to deal with a crisis like Covid-19 before. It has been described by the business community as a mini economic Ice Age, with 85% of businesses closing or scaling back at the height of lockdown. Right now, representative associations have expressed concern that up to 9000 small and local businesses could close their doors due to Covid-19 impacts. For consumers meanwhile, it’s a whole new world – all the things we take for granted from our shopping, travel, social, leisure experience has been turned upside down.

Open for Business will share the stories of businesses at the coalface – their difficulties, frustrations, innovation and adaptability, through case studies & interviews from around the country, studio guests and international segments. Each week, it will provide clear, up-to-date and trusted information on the range of Government and other supports available – and the truth about how easy or difficult these are to access.  Meanwhile, many consumers are also naturally nervous about the reopening of our country. Open for Business aims to shed light on what it will mean for them going forward: how things have changed, and what can they expect & experience from the new norm.

The reopening of our country brings hope – but no doubt also fear. Though Government supports such as wage subsidies and pandemic payments have gone a long way in supporting people, Ireland is only at the beginning of the journey to unlock our economy.

Speaking at the announcement of the show, presenter Richard Curran said: “Businesses up and down the country have been shaken to their core by this pandemic. It is vital that we all learn about what is happening in the world of business, whether it is the company you work for, or firms whose goods and services you rely upon. With this show, we will bring stories of how businesses are responding; analysis of what is going on and pointers to what lies ahead.”

 Ella McSweeney added: “There’s never been a more urgent time for everyone who works in businesses – both big and small – across all corners of rural and urban Ireland, as they face this massive transformation to rebuild our pandemic-battered economy.  There will be huge challenges ahead, but we also have an opportunity to build on the thriving community spirit that has emerged. I hope this show will give people the necessary information to help them get back on their feet as we emerge from this difficult time.”

 Open for Business will broadcast on RTÉ One from Tuesday July 21st at 7pm. If you wish to share your business story & experience – good or bad, ask a question, or highlight an issue, please email: openforbusiness@cococontent.ie

Open for Business is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland.