Droitwich residents urged to 'shop local but stay safe' - The Droitwich Standard

Droitwich residents urged to 'shop local but stay safe'

Droitwich Editorial 7th Dec, 2020   0

RESIDENTS in Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore are being urged to shop local but stay safe after it entered Tier 2 of the Government’s new local Coronavirus restrictions.

Wychavon District Council has also confirmed it is supporting the Government’s call to allow retail shops to open for as long as they like, Monday to Saturday, during December and January.

Under Tier 2 rules, residents cannot mix with people from outside their household or support bubble in indoor settings.

Up to six people from different households can meet outdoors in private gardens or public spaces.




There are also tighter restrictions on hospitality businesses.

Shops, gyms, and other leisure business are also reopening and a surge in shoppers is expected as people look to start or finalise their Christmas present buying.


Coun Richard Morris, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Economic Growth, urged people to get out and support local traders but to be sensible as well.

He said: “Traders have been through a lot this year.

“They’ve put a huge amount of effort into making their businesses Covid-19 Secure and shown tremendous creativity so they can continue to provide services and support to their communities.

“The best way we can thank them is to give them the gift of our custom this Christmas.

“Please support local businesses as much as you can but do so safely.

“Follow the rules on household mixing, wear face coverings indoors and keep your distance while shopping and outside on the street when queuing.

“If you cannot imagine a sofa or a bath between you and the next person then you are probably too close.”

Wychavon has put together support to help businesses during this challenging time:

The launch of Wychavon’s Keep It Local campaign, encouraging people to support local traders and to make use of their online, delivery and click and collect services. Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/keepitlocal for details.

Relaxing planning enforcement rules to allow retail shops and supermarkets to open as long as they like, Monday to Saturday, from now until the end of January without permission. Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.

More than £1million has been paid out to businesses affected by the national lockdown with more applications being processed. A new scheme is being set up for businesses unable to trade due to new local coronavirus restrictions.

Making parking free in all Wychavon’s pay and display car parks until January 3, 2021.

Coun Bradley Thomas, Wychavon District Council leader, said: “Residents and businesses across Wychavon have sacrificed so much already to get our infection rate down and I thank everyone for their efforts.

“We’re doing everything we can to support people through this challenging time.

“There is hope on the horizon with mass vaccination set to start in the new year.

“Let’s not throw away the progress we have made and allow the virus to resurge now when we are close to the end of this pandemic.

“If we stick together, all play our part by following the rules, we will get through this and we will come back stronger.”

Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/coronavirus to find out more about the Tier 2 restrictions, the impact on services and support on offer.

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