Town centre businesses get ready to re-open

Harborough District Council is working closely with local shops, businesses, and other organisations, to ensure high streets can open safely from 15 June 2020 following a lengthy period of closure due to the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic.

Town centre ‘helpers’, wearing high-visibility vests, will help guide shoppers and answer any questions as more than 100 shops and businesses re-open across the district; there will also be public hand sanitiser stations in high streets.

Street floor-stencilling will promote social distancing and safe movement of shoppers around towns and show customers where to queue. Shoppers are encouraged to look out for the new signage and follow the instructions accordingly.

Public toilets are also re-opening in the Commons car park in Market Harborough, from 15 June 2020, with additional cleaning arrangements in place, new signage, and staff on hand to allow one person in at a time.

Cllr Phil King (pictured), Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into helping get high streets ready for re-opening and I thank all those involved in putting these essential measures in place so quickly. Local businesses have been devastated by this pandemic and it is so important for our local economy, local employment and business owners, that we do all we can to ensure they can open safely and start to trade again.”

Earlier this month, Harborough District Council produced a poster entitled ‘Are you ready to re-open?’, and other resources, to offer invaluable advice on what businesses need to do before they open their doors.

Cllr King added: “All possible measures have been put in place to help create a very safe and pleasurable shopping experience and I encourage people to support local businesses, when they re-open, to help them get back on track.”

Further details about measures being put in place will be made available over the coming days.

In line with businesses opening, Harborough District Council will look to re-introduce car parking charges at all Council-owned car parks across the Harborough District, over the coming weeks, and details will be shared publicly once a date is agreed.  Parking restrictions continue to apply at on-street locations in town centres. 

A webpage has been created with more information about town centres re-opening and will be available at www.harborough.gov.uk/coronavirus