Council campaign to boost town centres post-lockdown sees lamppost banners installed in Lancing
Adur and Worthing Councils have joined forces with local businesses to reassure visitors that all efforts are being made to make shopping, going out and relaxing in Shoreham and Lancing a safe and relaxing experience.
It comes after a council survey, which received more than 700 responses, showed more than half (53 per cent) of respondents said they would like to visit shops, restaurants or cafes but were concerned about the risks.
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Hide AdIt also showed 20 per cent said they were ambivalent about going out, 17 per cent are happy to go out and nine per cent said they would definitely not be going out.
The campaign, titled #WelcomeBackAW, highlights the measures taken to adhere to the government’s guidelines on safe towns and continues to stress the need for individuals to adhere to safety measures such as washing hands, wearing face masks where required and keeping to social distancing measures.
As part of the campaign, new lamppost banners have been put up in Lancing village centre to welcome visitors.
Councillor Brian Boggis, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We have all been affected by this terrible virus and as a Council we will remain on high alert.
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Hide Ad“That is why we are behind this safe return to activity in our town centres.
“We understand we all need to do all we can to answer the genuine concerns residents have and that is why #WelcomeBackAW gives traders the platform to do just that.”
Darren Gearing, one of the owners behind the Tap House in Shoreham’s East Street, said the venue was doing everything possible to keep customers safe.
All team members have undertaken “COVID Return to Work” protocol training while socially distanced tables, hand sanitiser stations, one way signage systems, contactless payments and increased cleaning have been introduced.
Mr Gearing said: “Our teams couldn’t wait to get back to work, we are also fortunate to have many regulars who have all said how happy they are to be back!”