Following the Government’s call to tackle the spread of coronavirus Covid-19 by reducing social contact, Newark and Sherwood District Council is closing the Palace Theatre, Newark.

It is also closing Nineteen20 Cafe Bar, the National Civil War Museum, its leisure centres operated by Active4Today at Newark, Blidworth and Ollerton and partner site Southwell Leisure Centre Trust as well as community centres.

The council said the closures would be reviewed on a monthly basis, taking into account the latest Government advice and guidance.

Council-owned Gladstone House, Newark, and Vale View, Newark, both of which provide supported housing accommodation for those in retirement, will remain open to visitors, provided they are not unwell or showing any symptoms of the virus. All communal areas will be closed along with the Truly Beauty hairdressing salon at Gladstone House.

Coun David Lloyd, leader of the district council, said: “We’ve being doing our very best to maintain services at the same time as responding to the pandemic. With the situation escalating, we now have to play our part in helping to reduce the spread and the speed of the virus in order to protect the public and our own staff.

“Closing facilities and shutting down services is very much a last resort and a clear indication of the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in.

“We want to do everything we possibly can do to support those who are impacted by the virus – individuals, families and businesses – and will be announcing a range of measures very soon, once we have further information from national Government.”

The council is looking at setting up a dedicated helpline service to identify vulnerable people and those needing additional support, details of which will be available shortly.

Comments