Wakefield Labour and Conservative leaders team up to help bars, pub and restaurants recover as lockdown lifts

Pubs, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, hairdressers and hotels are among others that can all begin to reopen from July 4. And to support this Wakefield Council has created a new business restart pack to help companies hit the ground running.

Labour Council Leader Coun Denise Jeffrey and Wakefield Conservative Group Leader Coun Nadeem Ahmed joined forces this week to start delivering copies of the guide to businesses in the city as a show of unity during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The downloadable guide includes simplified key information around reopening safely, what businesses need to do to keep customers and staff safe and how to find out more vital information.

It also features:

ideas and guide to reopening a business

cleaning checklist

health and safety checklist

guide to creating Covid-19 risk assessments

guide to creating social distancing measures

The council is now preparing to launch a major campaign aimed at businesses and the public in the coming days to help build confidence and start to grow the economy at a quicker rate.

​Coun Jeffery said: "We both believed that during unprecedented times like this we needed to break the mould and do something different to show the whole of Wakefield – the public and our businesses – that we are united in getting everyone back to work and back to enjoying what the entire district has to offer.

"Our district has so much to offer and entertain people so it's vital we do everything we can to back those businesses and support them to reopen safely, which will in turn attract customers who feel confident to step out again after these many weeks of lockdown."

Coun Ahmed said: "Businesses need every bit of help they can get, so if we can play our part in helping spread the word, support and give key information it can only be a good thing.

"Times are tough so it's right to do something different, innovate and get people back out there eating, drinking, shopping and entertained – and doing it safely."

To find out more and download the guide please see https://bit.ly/safebusinessWF