Coronavirus: New toolkit offers reopening advice to Shropshire businesses

Shropshire Council has produced a toolkit for businesses offering important advice about reopening as lockdown measures are eased.

The toolkit – Reopening your business in Shropshire – can be found on the Shropshire Council website.

It’s designed to provide a quick and simple guide to a lot of the information and resources businesses need to help support them during these challenging times.

Businesses will be able to find the latest government guidance and what it means to them, along with a back-to-work checklist of things to consider before re-opening. They will also find, in a resource pack, some downloadable posters that can be printed and displayed to help staff and customers safely visit their premises.

Steve Charmley, Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said:

“We want to support our businesses to operate and open safely and effectively especially as lockdown measures start to ease. Getting businesses back on their feet and supporting our local economy is key.

“We understand this is a challenging time for businesses and sometimes it can be difficult to keep up-to-date with all of the latest information. The Government has announced that certain businesses can start to re-open from Monday, and we also recognise that many businesses have been operating safely throughout lockdown as well.

“We’re sure this new toolkit will prove to be a valuable resource for all of our local businesses and I encourage them to read and make good use of it.”

Further information

Businesses will be permitted to open in stages. Some businesses such as food retail shops, chemists and takeaway food businesses have been able to operate through the period of lockdown.

Since 1 June, should they be able to operate safely, outdoor markets and car showrooms are able to trade,

From 15 June all ‘non-essential’ retailers will be able to commence trading once more; again, they must be able to demonstrate that they can operate safely.

The final phase will start no earlier than 4 July. This phase will see the reopening of at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been forced to close. Such businesses include: hairdressers; other personal services businesses; some hospitality venues, and public spaces including places of worship.