CLOSED: Reopening retail businesses safely

This consultation has now closed. Thanks to everyone who took the time to contribute.

The government has indicated that shops and markets that were closed as part of the coronavirus response will begin to reopen from early to mid June. Premises will be asked to make all possible efforts to protect shoppers and staff and the council is working on ways we can help them to safely achieve that.

Our officers have been planning for the reopening of retail environments of different sorts for some time, exploring options to do so in a safe way. There are significant challenges involved and it is clear that in the short term at least, our markets and shops will look and feel quite different from what we are used to.

Traders and retailers are being asked to look at their operating models and to put plans in place that would allow them to operate in a safe and socially distanced way. Our markets, town centres and enterprise teams are available to help with that process and to provide support with putting safety measures in place prior to reopening.

If you think your business would benefit from that advice and support, please complete the survey below to give us a better idea of your requirements.

We would ask you to respond as soon as possible to allow us to provide the most effective support before your planned reopening date. Regrettably, we will not be able to action requests received after 14 June 2020.