Safety measures are being put in place for residents and businesses in each of the four main town centres in North East Derbyshire District as many shops are set to re-open from 15 June.
Following Government guidelines and working in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, partner organisations, retailers and businesses, visitors to the four town centres will be able to shop safely with new measures put in place to re-assure customers.
Changes will be visible around the towns and a series of safety measures put in place to ensure everyone can safely keep to the 2m social distancing rules and manage traffic and pedestrians effectively. Extra cycle parking will also be included in each town centre to reduce the need for public transport.
Retailers are putting measures in place to limit the number of shoppers in store, arranging collection points, installing protective screens where appropriate and encouraging contactless payments.
Residents are also advised to shop alone where possible to limit the numbers of people queueing. Seating areas will be installed in the towns to provide comfort and safe areas to wait.
Leader of North East Derbyshire District Council, Councillor Martin Thacker, MBE, said, “We are working incredibly hard to make sure it is safe for customers to return to our town centres on 15 June. The measures put in place will enable the safety of all and reassure customers it is safe to shop in our towns and shoppers are welcomed back.
“We have been working closely with both retailers and businesses to advise on measures to put in place for them to be safe and compliant with Government guidance, helping them to re-open safely”.
“We have some incredible local and independent businesses who have shown great innovation to continue trading online throughout this pandemic. Some have not been so lucky, but will be able to re-open from the 15June”.
“We want to support our local residents and businesses as much as possible and we are launching a campaign highlighting the benefits of shopping local, supporting our independent businesses and to grow our local economy. Making sure our town centres can thrive again is incredibly important, they are the heart of our communities”.
“Shopping local is a key element to helping our North East Derbyshire economy grow and we have some incredible businesses within our district. We will make sure all necessary measures are in place for shopping safely, securely and in confidence. We will support each other and get through this pandemic together”.