Please heed the advice as shops prepare to reopen following coronavirus restrictions.
Blackpool Council is urging residents to respect social distancing advice as the town centre prepares to reopen after weeks of lockdown.
The resort’s principal shopping centre, the Houndshill, will reopen on Monday 15 June along with other non-essential shops and stores in the town centre and outlying district centres.
The Council is asking people to ensure that they are prepared for new queuing systems and respect all social distancing rules when they venture into shopping areas in order to protect their own health and that of others.
Heed the Advice and Keep Safe
The Council and the Town Centre BID have installed extensive social distancing signage across the town centre. Shops and stores are being asked to display a Government-approved COVID-19 Secure notice reassuring staff and customers that they are managing the risk of coronavirus and following all necessary health and safety guidance.
The Houndshill Centre has introduced a wide range of safety measures including ambassadors who will greet customers at entrances and provide advice on the one-way system through common areas of the mall, where to find hand sanitisation stands, and details of which shops are open.
A new PayByPhone app has been introduced across most Council car parks. It enables users to pay for their parking without using cash, queuing or coming into contact with payment machines.
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise & Job Creation, added: “The PayByPhone car parking app and the extensive social distancing signage across the town centre and wider resort are there to reassure people that we are reopening our economy in a safe way.
“We are fortunate that much of our town centre is pedestrianised and that gives people the ability to easily social distance without stepping into roads or coming into close contact with other.
“As a major destination, it’s really important we can show that we can reopen our retail economy in a safe and structured way. Then parts of our tourism economy will be reopening in the weeks ahead.”
Public Health
Dr Arif Rajpura is Director of Public Health for Blackpool Council. He said: “It’s essential that as some restrictions are eased, there’s no sense of complacency.
“The reopening of non-essential shops is the first step in helping to rebuild the economy. But it’s vitally important that people
- continue to respect social distancing rules,
- avoid any gatherings and
- follow all handwashing and hygiene guidance.
“As we move into the recovery phase of this pandemic, there is an onus on everyone. Shops, staff and business owners – to ensure that they remain aware of risks associated with the spread of the virus.”
