Preparations underway to open the District’s high streets safely

Planning is underway at Horsham District Council to support the safe reopening of Horsham Town Centre and the District’s market towns.

Following the Government’s announcement that high streets can reopen from 15 June, the Council is working with businesses and various partners to ensure that measures are in place to make the District’s high streets safe for residents, visitors and traders.

From 15 June, people will be able to visit non-essential retail outlets such as clothing stores and charity shops, which can reopen if COVID-19 safety and security guidelines are met.

To address the latest plans, the Council is putting measures in place to ensure that residents and visitors can continue to observe the Government’s guidelines to reduce the coronavirus whilst visiting high streets and other retail spaces.

The work involves comprehensive signage for shops and directional street and pavement markings enabling shoppers to observe social distancing. Further signage will be used in car parks and public toilets, all aiming to guide and reassure the public.

A digital map will be produced for every town centre throughout the District to indicate which public toilets are open for use.

The Council is working with local task forces across the District in each market town centre to introduce bespoke safety measure schemes.

Additional funding of £128,132 has been allocated to the Council to support the re-opening of High Streets and other retail spaces, while ensuring they are safe for residents and tourists to visit.

Cllr Paul Clarke, Cabinet Member for Local Economy and Parking, said:

It’s great news that more businesses can reopen on 15 June, but they must do so safely for their employees and their customers.

"We welcome the additional allocation of funding that has been allocated to the Horsham District by the Government. We are working with businesses and partners in the Horsham Town Centre and the market towns and villages on practical measures to ensure people can be confident that it’s safe to return.”

Cllr Paul Clarke, Cabinet Member for Local Economy and Parking

These measures form the initial phase of the safe re-opening for businesses project across Horsham District. Measures will be revised and amended accordingly and additional phases introduced in due course.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Council has supported many traders in a variety of ways such as switching their distribution methods to online sales solutions, including takeaways, click and collect, and home delivery services.

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .