Wakefield Council lays out plans for businesses reopening as restrictions are lifted

Wakefield Council is working with businesses across the district to keep the public safe as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Wakefield's Bullring during lockdownWakefield's Bullring during lockdown
Wakefield's Bullring during lockdown

New signs will be in place to direct people in following social distancing rules and more than £60m in grants has been distributed to keep companies afloat during the pandemic.

Coun Darren Byford, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for economic growth and Regeneration at Wakefield Council, said: “We are working with over 1300 businesses across the district during this outbreak.

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“Our goal is to help our district to recover as quickly as possible and we are committed to supporting businesses through the current situation and beyond.

“We are working with partners including Wakefield First, to help businesses to access a wide range of support. This has so far included the distribution of cash grants to 5,280 businesses totalling £61,000,000 across the district, plus advice and information and access to webinars and workshops.

“We have produced a check list for local business, including retailers, on how to work safely during the coronavirus outbreak and how to maintain social distancing, to keep both employees and customers safe.

“We will also be updating our factsheets and guidance, to reflect the very latest government advice for the reopening to shops, which we’ll circulate via social media, by email and through speaking to business organisations.

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“If businesses need further advice and help, our business support team is always on hand and can be contacted at [email protected], or by calling 01924 306630. In order to control the spread of infection it remains very important for some businesses to remain closed and for those that can open to follow strict social distancing and hygiene measures.

"Advice on the rules that apply is available on the Government websites, but if any businesses need clarification on their ability to trade at this time we ask them to get in touch by emailing [email protected].”

“A group has been set up to plan the safe reopening of the city centre focusing on public spaces, signage and ensuring safe social distancing can take place. City and town centre businesses will be receiving a survey so the council fully understand their concerns and plans for reopening.

“We are working closely with Wakefield BID to support the businesses in the city centre to ensure they have the guidance and support to reopen safely.

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“The council will receive funding from the Government to assist with the reopening of the city and town centres which can be spent on communications and public information and on temporary public area changes.”

For Government’s guidance on which business can and cannot open: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close and also to sector-specific guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19 on providing a safe place to work and social distancing.

The council is working with the police to ensure businesses are only operating when they can legally do so, and are following social-distancing and Coivid-19 Secure measures in the workplace.

The council will continue to assess how the Government’s release of lockdown will impact on local business over the coming weeks and months and offer advice and guidance to support a successful reopening of the business community.