Hertfordshire County Council makes changes to help residents support local businesses

Councils across Hertfordshire are helping residents to support local businesses in a safe way when non-essential shops reopen on Monday, June 15.

Throughout the last few weeks, Hertfordshire County Council has been working to put in place measures such as closing roads off to traffic, removing parking allocation or narrowing roads, to provide more space for pedestrians and make sure safe social distancing is possible and residents can move around their towns in a way that meets guidance from Central Government.

These Public Health-led changes, which have been made at 14 sites in 12 towns across the county, are designed to support residents, businesses and families in remaining safe.

The county council has received lots of feedback on these safety measures, which they have taken on board and responded to.

Hertfordshire County Council has also identified nine other locations where measures to support social distancing may be needed, and these will be monitored closely when non-essential shops open next week and pubs and restaurants do so over the next month.

To help people understand the changes, they have created a range of new signage to encourage everyone to look after themselves and others as they return to town centres and other key shopping locations.

They have also helped to create a toolkit of guidance for shops to make their premises as safe as they possibly can, including a ‘Five Steps to Working Safely’ strategy.

The county council has been working closely with businesses on the best way to implement these measures, which include stepping up cleaning and hygiene procedures and the best ways to encourage people to follow the social distancing guidelines.

David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “As lockdown measures are eased, it is important that people return to their high streets to ‘shop local’, but that they are able to do so in the safest way for all.

"We understand that the last couple of months have been difficult for our residents and businesses, and would like to thank them for their patience and cooperation as we put in place the necessary changes to enable a gradual reopening of high streets.

“People’s safety is the highest priority, and we must all keep looking out for each other, be patient and considerate of others by maintaining the two metres’ distancing.”

Linda Haysey, Leader of East Herts Council and Chair of the Community Reassurance Cell of the Local Resilience Forum, said: “Our shops and local businesses have had to face some particularly challenging circumstances over the last few months but, as our town centres start to open up again, we want to encourage people to return safely and shop local.

“By creating spaces across Hertfordshire’s town centres and high streets that allow for social distancing and make residents, workers and shoppers feel safe, we hope to generate greater footfall for our traders and boost the local economy.”

For more information, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.