Shoppers have received a safe welcome as non-essential retailers across the district reopen their doors.

Additional safety measures, including one-way systems, additional signage and steward support in town centres, are on offer from Newark and Sherwood District Council to support local businesses and keep shoppers safe.

Floor graphics and signage have been installed around town centres, reminding people to follow social distancing guidance and where to queue outside individual shops.

Restrictions and one way systems are also in place to limit the number of people inside each shop and shoppers are advised to queue away from the kerb side of pavements to ensure they remain safe.

The leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, David Lloyd, said: “The re-opening of our high streets is key to kick-starting our economic recovery and we’ve been working with local retailers to ensure they have the support they need to safely resume trading.

“All the measures in place have been done so with shoppers’ safety as the priority. Our stewards are on hand in our main town centres to offer guidance to both shoppers and retailers, while ensuring social distancing guidelines are being met.

“It is also important to add, that while the vast majority of businesses will do everything possible to protect their staff and customers, our officers will be doing random inspections and we have the powers we need to enforce compliance where that is required.”

The council is reminding people to take and use their own bags and use contactless methods of payment instead of cash.

A comprehensive guidance pack for all retail outlets has also recently been issued, setting out the Covid-secure measures they must take in relation to managing social distancing and queuing, new cleaning regimes and essential risk assessments.

The guidance pack is available to download on Newark and Sherwood District Council’s website: www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/emergency/coronavirus/reopening/

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