12/6/2020
With many local retailers set to reopen from Monday (June 15), including Woodley town centre, the Town Council, Wokingham Borough Council and Woodley’s Town Centre Manager Brian Fennelly have been working together to ensure the town centre shops can open safely.
The team have provided a range of activities and resources to support local shops and businesses to open safely whilst still adhering to the latest government guidance such as social distancing and safe queuing.
Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see our local businesses start to reopen again as they are such an important part of our local community. By shopping local, whether in one of our great independent stores or in our local markets, you are helping our businesses to survive and thrive.
“We have been working with our business community throughout the pandemic to support them by distributing £17.3million in grants and £17.5million in business rates relief. Now, that non-essential shops are allowed to open from next week, we are working hard to support our town centre businesses welcome residents back onto our high streets in a safe way.
“But it’s incredibly important that people continue to observe the rules and follow advice on how to shop safely. Everyone must take responsibility, respecting the people around them and the place they are in. We need to make sure we limit the risk of infection spreading as, if a local outbreak occurs, there is a risk that a localised lockdown may return. This is something we can all agree no one wants to see happen.”
Key changes taking place around the main shopping area in Woodley include:
- Clear signage across the towns to make sure people remember the importance of requirements such as the social distancing rule, sanitizing hands and queuing safely
- Increased marketing and social media campaigns to keep shoppers and businesses up to date with useful information and latest updates
- Temporary changes to local roads and footways to help maximise space for pedestrians and manage movement safely
- Clearly marked areas for queuing outside shops
- Support packs for local retailers and businesses including a range of useful resources, such as posters, signs and floor stickers to help encourage safe distancing.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “Whilst we know some of the changes may seem strange at first, we know from our discussions with residents and businesses that creating safe spaces is incredibly important to everyone. All the changes being made are temporary, and we will continue to monitor them over the coming months and adapt them as required.”
While traffic changes are being implemented in Wokingham town centre, there are currently no plans to change anything in the Woodley precinct, unless there becomes a need.
“We are not currently proposing changes to the roads or footways in Woodley at this time but are continuing to work closely with them to monitor the shopping areas and will take action if required. We will continue to keep resident’s updated if there are any changes.”
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to continue to support all businesses across the borough, whether town centre based or not.
“But it’s not just about our main retail areas as we want to make sure our shops and businesses are supported across the borough. Many of the ideas and improvements agreed for Wokingham town centre, Woodley and Twyford are applicable to all our retail businesses and we’re keen to work with them to offer support where we can,” adds Jorgensen.
Retailers in Wokingham town centre, Woodley and Twyford will be contacted directly to organise access to support packs. Retailers outside of these areas, but interested in finding out more should contact Economicdevelopment@wokingham.gov.uk.
Funding towards these activities is coming from the European Regional Development Fund which helps local areas stimulate their economic development.
