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Councillor Paul Hayward, East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets outlines the Council's work to support local businesses:
East Devon District Council is delighted to have received a share of £50m of additional European Regional Development Funding to support the safe reopening of High Streets and town centres.
The ‘Reopening High Streets Safely' fund is allowing EDDC to put in place additional measures across our towns and public spaces, to enable safe trading environments for businesses and customers.
In East Devon, the Reopening High Streets Safely programme is supporting a district wide media campaign, #ShopLocalShopSafe, to inform residents and visitors about how to use their high streets and town centres safely and showcasing how local businesses are responding to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting, evolving and reaching out to their community, offering safe and responsive ways to access the goods and services that they need.
Environmental Health are recruiting two new Covid Compliance Officers, whose role will be to support local businesses by providing the latest information and advice about Covid compliance.
In addition, the Streetscene team have rolled out a number of temporary public realm changes to ensure that our local High Streets and town centres are safe environments to visit. This includes the provision of hand sanitiser stations, safety signage and pavement markings.
Whilst we are currently in lockdown, the Reopening of the High Streets must remain on-hold. Like everyone, we are of course looking forward to when we can do this safely and are working with retailers to help them to prepare.
EDDC is working closely to support the essential East Devon retailers, currently open during lockdown, and are also working with those which have had to close to ensure that a safe shopping environment is created post lockdown.
Whilst we prepare for the coming weeks and months, we would like to take this opportunity to remind residents that their local High Street can still be used for essentials.
When visiting your High Street please follow the latest government guidance, regularly wash or sanitise your hands, wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times. Your local High Street should only be visited for essential items or to support businesses offering a Click and Collect service.
Please #StayLocalShopSafe and support your #EastDevon High Street.
When it is safe to reopen our high streets we will be:
- Reminding people to stay local
- Promoting safe shopping
- Reassuring people and developing shopper confidence
- Encouraging local business support
- Showcasing businesses
- Supporting the local economy and protecting local jobs
Visit eastdevon.gov.uk/staylocalshopsafe
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