City businesses prepare to safely reopen

People in Gloucester will find helpful signs and stickers throughout the city centre as lockdown restrictions begin to lift.

With more businesses looking to safely reopen, Gloucester City Council has worked with partners including the Gloucester BID on how to help shoppers and retail workers stay safe.

Stencils and stickers on the ground placed 2 metres apart will remind people of the need to keep their distance from those outside their household, and signage will help ensure other guidance is followed while out in public.

As well as the city centre, the Eastgate, Kings Walk and Gloucester Quays shopping centres will also have the same signs, stickers and stencils ready for when their indoor retail spaces open again.

The city centre has been regularly cleaned throughout lockdown, and will undergo 2 deep cleans before 15 June. There will also be increased cleaning of benches and bins going forward.

Cllr Dawn Melvin, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth at Gloucester City Council, said: “We know that retailers are keen to get back to business and we appreciate everything they’re doing to ensure they have proper safety and hygiene measures in place to protect their staff and customers.

“Shoppers in the city also have a responsibility to follow the guidance which will help control the spread of Coronavirus. That’s why we’ve worked collaboratively on getting these signs and stickers in place throughout Gloucester’s centre to help everyone be safe in our city.”

Kieron Bates, Chair of the Gloucester BID, said: “It has been very difficult for so many of our local businesses throughout the lockdown. While we know many are chomping at the bit to reopen, we all have a part to play in doing it in a way that reduces the spread of Covid-19.

“This is the first step to getting retail in the city up and running again, which will hugely help our local economy. We’re also looking forward to the future phases, including safely reopening our night time venues for that further boost to Gloucester’s economy.”