Are you ready to return to retail? Shop local, stay safe! | Latest news

 

From today (12 April), non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will be able to open their doors once more as we reach an important milestone in the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery.

Over the past year as the pandemic unfolded, Arun has seen many of its treasured businesses struggle to survive so the Council is urging residents to shop local to support our traders.

As before, the safety message is paramount – maintain social distancing guidelines, follow any one-way systems in place and continue to wear masks inside shops, unless exempt. Hands should be washed and sanitised regularly to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Even if you have received your first, or both, of your Covid vaccines you are reminded of the importance of following Government guidelines and the message – Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air.

ADC has been working with partners such as Bognor Regis BID and Shop Littlehampton once more to help ensure that our return to retail runs as smoothly as possible and that our high streets and smaller shopping areas are Covid-secure and ready to welcome customers.

Nigel Lynn, CEO at Arun District Council, said: “I’m sure I speak on behalf of many residents when I say that I’m excited about non-essential shops, gyms and outdoor hospitality reopening – and I’m looking forward to going to the barbers!

“Our local retailers have endured a very anxious year and it’s crucial that we support them as they work hard to build their businesses back up.

“But I can’t stress enough how important it is that everyone continues to strictly follow the safety guidelines in order to keep everyone safe. This is only step 2 in the 4-step Government roadmap out of lockdown so we can’t afford to let the good work slip now as the easing of restrictions is dependent on data, not dates. We must all work together to ensure that we don’t see a spike in infection rates once again so that we can continue to move steadily in the right direction.”

BID Chairman, Jason Passingham said: “I’d like to echo ADC’s important message. As a retailer myself, I know how much we value the support our local community has shown to local businesses, and how happy we are to be welcoming back our customers in person. We’re doing all we can to make our premises Covid-secure and would urge everyone coming into Bognor Regis to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus.”

Celia Thomson-Hitchcock, Chair of the Littlehampton Traders Partnership, said: “It’s been a tough old year to say the least! There is a brilliant sense of community within Littlehampton’s independent retailers and The Littlehampton Traders Partnership has been utilising its time productively to create excitement and encourage enterprise.

“It will be great to see familiar faces again and we are so looking forward to welcoming back our customers and friends. Despite retail challenges, we all need to remember to endorse the message of 'stay safe, stay local and shop local’.”

A spokesperson for Arundel Town Council said: “Throughout the pandemic, our town council has co-operated closely with the Arundel Chamber of Commerce to keep Arundel safe. That will continue as we work through the gradual easing of restrictions because it is important that residents and visitors know that they can shop safely in Arundel. Creating that confidence will play an important part in the successful re-opening of our town centre, particularly in the bars, restaurants and cafés that make Arundel such a vibrant town.”

The work will be aided by a £143,718 government grant from the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, launched recently to help councils to support businesses as they re-open. The funding is from the European Regional Development Fund via the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government.