The ongoing coronavirus situation is changing by the hour with announcements being made about businesses and services that are being forced to adapt and change.

Punchline is committed to trying to keep you up to date with all the news that matters to you and your business.

Our team will update this story throughout the day, to ensure the latest important developments can be found in one - clickbait free - place.

If you or your business has any news, views or advice to share with the Gloucestershire business community, get in touch with Punchline team at news@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.

Friday, September 10

Update #8942 - 10.15 Economy growth slows in July

The economy grew in July, but only just. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a rise in output of just 0.1%.

It was the sixth consecutive month of growth, but it indicates a significant slowing down. The figures for June showed a 1% increase.

Despite the return to work after lockdown, July was when the 'pingdemic' of Covid alerts really started to hit.

The ONS data shows that the economy is still 2.1% below its pre-Covid peak.

Oil and gas provided the strongest boost to the economy. The construction sector contracted for the fourth month in a row.

Update #8941 - 08.25 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 133,841 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 167 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 38,013 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hour period and 7,132,072 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 48,344,566 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of September 8 and 43,708,906 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 45,558, as of Thursday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 946.

Cases for the latest 24-hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 12,060 cases (increase of 23)

Cheltenham - 8,441 cases (increase of 24)

Stroud - 8,042 cases (increase of 28)

Tewkesbury - 6,221 cases (increase of 22)

Forest of Dean - 5,643 cases (increase of 26)

Cotswold - 5,151 cases (increase of 21) 

Thursday, September 9

Update #8940 - 12.10 Morrisons sees profits slump

Supermarket chain Morrisons is warning of price rises ahead as it saw a dramatic fall in profits.

Its half-yearly profits were down 37.1 per cent as managers blamed the cost of handling the Covid crisis.

Profit before tax and exceptional items was £105million compared to £167m at the same time last year.

Morrisons says Covid-19 cost the chain £41million, with the effects still being felt on profits from cafes, fuel and 'food-to-go'.

Total revenue was up 3.7 per cent to £9.1billion.

Update #8939 - 08.30 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 133,674 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 191 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 38,975 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hour period and 7,094,592 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 48,319,435 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of September 7 and 43,620,946 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 45,414, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 946.

Cases for the latest 24-hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 12,037 cases (increase of 66)

Cheltenham - 8,417 cases (increase of 52)

Stroud - 8,014 cases (increase of 57)

Tewkesbury - 6,199 cases (increase of 47)

Forest of Dean - 5,617 cases (increase of 56)

Cotswold - 5,130 cases (increase of 37) 

Wednesday, September 8

Update #8938 - 08.26 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 133,483 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 209 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 37,489 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hour period and 7,056,106 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 48,292,811 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of September 6 and 43,535,098 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 45,099, as of Tuesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 945.

Cases for the latest 24-hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 11,971 cases (increase of 60)

Cheltenham - 8,365 cases (increase of 48)

Stroud - 7,957 cases (increase of 76)

Tewkesbury - 6,152 cases (increase of 30)

Forest of Dean - 5,561 cases (increase of 36)

Cotswold - 5,093 cases (increase of 37)

Tuesday, September 7

Update #8937 - 08.31 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to133,274 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 45 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 41,192 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hour period and 7,018,927 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 48,270,113 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of September 5 and 43,455,083 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 44,812, as of Monday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 945.

Cases for the latest 24-hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 11,911 cases (increase of 64)

Cheltenham - 8,317 cases (increase of 50)

Stroud - 7,881 cases (increase of 67)

Tewkesbury - 6,122 cases (increase of 32)

Forest of Dean - 5,525 cases (increase of 35)

Cotswold - 5,056 cases (increase of 50)

Monday, September 6

Update #8936- 11.01 Nearly 50 shops a day close down in UK

Information compiled by The Local Data Company on behalf of accountancy giant PwC has found that more than 8,700 shops have closed down in the first half of the year. This is in town and city centres, shopping centres and retail parks.

The data includes shops, restaurants, cafes, banks and gyms. High Streets have fared the worst. There have been 8,739 closures and only 3,488 openings.

120 department stores closed down, with a decline in charity shops, betting shops, banks and car showrooms too.

This exemplifies the change in shopping habits caused by the coronavirus pandemic, when for months on end everything had to be done online.

Update #8935-10.32 Wagamama experiencing chef shortage

High demand for restaurants after reopening, Brexit and supply chain problems have caused a shortage of chefs at a fifth of Wagamama restaurants in the UK. Many industries across the economy are reporting shortages of staff and difficulties in finding people to recruit as restrictions have eased after the coronavirus pandemic.

Brexit immigration restrictions have caused many Wagamama staff to have to move back to their home country.

As reported by the Press Association, CEO Thomas Heier said: "We've seen a reduction in our EU workforce in particular," Heier said, "but the other thing we're seeing is increased competition from logistics and delivery firms who are struggling with an increased number of vacancies."

The Office for National Statistics has found a 10 per cent rate of vacancies across the hospitality industry. Spending over the summer has been directed towards hospitality in a higher proportion than usual, as the public have been less able to go on foreign holidays this summer and restrictions on travel and socialising have been lifted throughout the UK. 

Update #8934 - 09.17 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 133,229 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 68 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 37,011 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24-hour period and 6,978,126 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 48,245,337 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of September 5 and 43,378,193 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic rose to 44,514, as of Sunday afternoon, an increase of 387.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 945.

Cases for the latest 24-hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 11,847 cases (increase of 84)

Cheltenham - 8,267 cases (increase of 64)

Stroud - 7,814 cases (increase of 98)

Tewkesbury - 6,090 cases (increase of 43)

Forest of Dean - 5,490 cases (increase of 50)

Cotswold - 5,006 cases (increase of 48)