Covid Marshalls Come To Chichester

Covid ambassadors will walk the streets of Chichester as part of the district council's clampdown on coronavirus.

Chichester District Council is encouraging people to social distance while shopping.

The marshals have been funded by the Government and part of their roles will be to help control queues and offer reassurance.

The local authority has launched a campaign to get people to 'shop local, visit local and support local'.

Councillor Tony Dignum, Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration at Chichester District Council, said:

"Our fantastic High Streets in Chichester, East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey have made their premises Covid-secure and are looking forward to welcoming shoppers in the run up to Christmas for a safe and enjoyable shopping experience.

"It's so important that we support our local businesses, and this has never been more important as we rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic. Now that the national restrictions have been lifted, we are encouraging people to safely return to our High Streets, where they can find everything they need to make Christmas special. 

"To help with this, our new Covid Ambassadors will be on hand to welcome shoppers and assist with social distancing in the High Streets. The weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, so we're encouraging people to come prepared for any changes in the weather while they are out and about in case they need to queue outside.

"We are very lucky to have such a fantastic range of businesses in our district, many of which offer unique products that you can't buy anywhere else. To encourage people to shop locally and to further help with social distancing, we are offering free parking every weekend in December in Avenue De Chartres car park, Chichester, and people can also use the MiPermit app to select two hours and get the third free in most of our car parks across the district during December.

"All of this work is part of the council's Countdown to Christmas campaign to encourage people to support our local businesses. You can show your love of the district with our special Christmas gift tags, which you can download for free from our website, and apply special Facebook and Twitter frames to your profile pictures. Help us make this Christmas a local Christmas by supporting local wherever you can. To find out more, visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/countdowntochristmas."

To support local businesses during this challenging period, Chichester District Council has employed two Covid Information Recovery Officers.

They have been working closely with businesses across the district to help them develop and implement Covid-19 risk assessments by offering reassurance and advice. 

Tony added:

"We know that many of our local businesses have felt isolated and unsure of what they need to do to make their premises Covid-secure. Our Covid Information Recovery Officers are there to offer advice and support, answering questions from businesses about current Government guidance, as well as helping them to understand and interpret regulations around social distancing and other measures to minimise the risk of transmission of the disease. 

"They've been working with businesses during the latest national restrictions to help them get ready to safely reopen their doors, including offering advice on managing queues within their stores in the run up to Christmas. They've helped a number of businesses and we know this has made a huge difference."

The Covid Information Recovery Officers can also help signpost businesses to further business support that the council can offer.

This includes financial help and links to free downloadable signage, and advice on who best to speak to if businesses are concerned about possible coronavirus cases. District businesses can find out more or get in touch with one of the officers by emailing: [email protected] or calling: 01243 534602.

The council's Revenues and Benefits and Economic Development teams have also been making sure that businesses have access to financial support. To find out more about the Government grants available, and to apply, visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/businessratesnovember2020.  

Details of the council's Covid-19 recovery grant scheme for businesses, as well as information to help support local businesses, is available on the council's coronavirus business support web page: www.chichester.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport .