Council preparing for town centres opening

Wyre Forest District Council is planning for when the district’s town centres fully reopen.

With more shops expected to open later this month Wyre Forest District Council is putting plans in place to allow people to visit the town centres safely.

The Government has advised that non-essential retail will be allowed to reopen on Monday 15 June as it continues with steps to gradually ease the lockdown following the Coronavirus outbreak.

The council has been using the guidance provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to develop its plans. It is also working with partners such as the Kidderminster BID, town councils, shopping centre operators and business representatives.

As part of the plans, the council is urging anyone who does need to go into town to observe safe distancing guidelines at all times. This is for their safety and the safety of others. The latest rule is still to stay at least two metres apart from other people outside of your household. Signage will be going up around the town centre to reinforce this public safety message.

Public toilets in the towns will be open again from Monday 15 June and the council is increasing the cleaning schedule. There may be restrictions in place where it is felt necessary to protect public safety. It will also be working to make sure street furniture such as benches and bins are kept clean and disinfected more regularly.

In Kidderminster the market is reopening on Thursday 18 June. The council is working with the market operator to make sure all stalls have a safe location for the traders, shoppers and the existing shops. The council and the market operator will keep the layout under review to ensure that it maintains a safe shopping experience for visitors to the town.

The council has increased cleansing at its car parks but users are encouraged to make card payments if they can and observe social distancing when parking up and paying.

Funding to implement these changes has come from the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

The council is also planning to use this funding to appoint some short term new posts to liaise with the small and medium sized businesses across the three towns to provide them with advice on how they can trade safely in accordance with the Government advice.