Coronavirus: Visitors to Bridgnorth guaranteed a warm and safe welcome

Bridgnorth is safe, and very much open for business – that’s the message from local traders who welcomed back shoppers this week.

As part of the Government’s Step 2 of their roadmap out of the third Lockdown, most shops and retail outlets were allowed to reopen this week.

Businesses, along with support from both Shropshire Council and Bridgnorth Town Council, have worked hard to put COVID-19-secure measures in place to keep all those who visit, work and live in Bridgnorth safe.

Now, after a challenging few months, local traders are encouraging people to show their support at a time when it is needed the most.

Cara Hickman, manager at Urban Angel, on Bridgnorth High Street. said:-

“We have been so excited to welcome back our lovely customers. Bridgnorth is a great community and with all our lovely independent stores reopening, it is a fab addition to all the ‘essentials’ who have kept our little town ticking over nicely.

“We have put COVID-19-secure measures in place to keep everyone safe. We have hand sanitizer available and we even have single-use face masks available in case anyone forgets.

“We can promise people safe service with a smile.”

Additional social distancing measures will be in place at Bridgnorth High Street to facilitate the operation of Bridgnorth Market, to ensure that people can safely visit the town.

Pedestrianised one-way measures and signage will be enhanced to ensure people can shop in a safe and socially-distanced manner.

Saturday High Street market stallholders must set up two metres back from the kerb to provide additional space for customers to shop safely at the front of the stalls, access shops more easily and ensure safe passage along the pavements.

Bridgnorth ‘Ambassadors’ will be on hand to explain the measures to the public and assist the market traders to trade safely.

Information and advisory posters have been provided to businesses in the town centre, to the High Street market stallholders and the organiser of the private market for onward distribution, as well as to local caravan and camping sites to help them let the public understand what to expect in Bridgnorth and to promote positive behaviours to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s head of trading standards and licensing, said:

“Ensuring everyone can both shop and trade safely is our top priority.

“We’ve carefully considered which measures should be introduced to ensure the safety of shoppers, residents and traders.

“Making sure people’s health is protected as we get our economy back on its feet is a difficult balancing act, but we believe these measures will go some way to helping local traders, whilst still keeping people safe.

“We will be carefully monitoring the impact of these measures to see if any additional action will be necessary.”

Lee Jakeman, Clerk to Bridgnorth Town Council, said:

 “This has been a challenging time for our community, but I would like to express my sincere gratitude for their continued co-operation.

“During the Lockdown many of us turned to local providers who stepped into the breach to provide home deliveries. Businesses have also worked extremely hard to keep customers safe by putting COVID-19-secure measures in place.

“By supporting the measures to increase space for social distancing, we hope we are doing our bit to help the town’s traders take full advantage of this critical trading period at the same time as keeping the public safe.

“I want to encourage everyone, wherever possible, to spend their hard-earned money with our wonderful local businesses.”

If businesses require further copies of the posters, these can be obtained by contacting Bridgnorth Town Council on 01746 762231 or at info@bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk or can be downloaded from Shropshire Council’s website at the links below:

Town centre/market trader poster: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/17679/stay-safe-in-bridgnorth-poster-1.pdf

Caravan and camping site poster: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/media/17688/stay-safe-in-bridgnorth-poster-2.pdf