Businesses in Dorset are adapting to the challenges facing them during the coronavirus outbreak.

With greater stress on retail through panic buying and workers remaining at home to self-isolate, business owners are relying on support from the government to help them navigate these unprecedented times.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £330billion package of guarantees to support businesses, as well as extending the so-called 'business rates holiday' to help the sectors of society that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.

Claudia Moore COO of Weymouth BID, said: "We have every sympathy with all Weymouth businesses and are exploring every opportunity to help the situation."

Staff at the town's businesses are adapting to the situation and trying to make the best of it. Many have started delivery services and others have changed their usual stock.

David Hughes, owner of David's Jewellers on St Thomas Street, said: "The government is putting a huge amounts of money into it but there is only so much you can do and money doesn't solve everything and where are they getting all this money from?

"There's no point in being down about it because you've just got to see things through. It's potentially a once in a lifetime event so we just have to get through it."

Bethany Aston-Joyce from Chalbury on St Alban Street, said: "I have had a lot of people coming in and looking for pasta, bread and stuff and I don't normally sell those but I have ordered some things in so people can get it here as well."

Dennis Spurr of the Fantastic Sausage Factory on St Mary Street was upbeat about the situation: "I was going to employ three more staff this week and go into summer mode but I have had to cancel that and stay in winter mode.

"You just have to try and do the best you can. There's no point whinging and moaning about it. I do feel really positive, we will come through this because we always do."

Phil Gordon, chairman of Dorchester BID, said: "Our plea to all local residents of Dorchester is to divert some or all of their on-line purchasing with the big companies and instead, spend as much as possible in your local high street to help give our town’s businesses a fighting chance of surviving the next unknown period of time."

Roger Gould of Goulds Department Stores said: "The onset of COVID-19 has already had a major extra impact, with footfall markedly down and worsening daily as restrictions are increased. We are doing our utmost to help our local customers, including offering a telephone ordering service with free local delivery from our stores and garden centre.

"The government’s latest announcements will ease our immediate prospects but further measures will be needed to assist us to maintain a viable future both in order to protect the interests of our loyal colleagues and customers.”

Sandy Jordan of Jordan's Jewellers said: "We have had a good month. We are just being proactive to make sure we are sterilising everything and making sure everyone is well.

"We are telling people that if they have a wedding coming up they need to pick up their rings now.

"I think it is going to have a significant impact because if you have people not earning and building debt they aren't going to be spending.

"I'm not worried about what's going to happen I think we will be fine."

Mickey Jones, owner of DJ property, urged businesses to have plans in place for the coming months. He said: "The most important thing is that businesses shouldn't panic. What they need to do is take their energy and direct it first to finding out what help the government is providing because, with all help from government, you have to go looking for it.

"The other thing is they are going to have to tighten their belts. By starting that efficiency and cost-saving process early they will give their businesses some breathing space.

"They need to look after their staff because they are usually the most important thing about any business and they need to make sure they are looking after their welfare and financial situations.

"As bad as this problem is this isn't something which is going to last for years, it can be measured in months."