Pendle News Room

The Government is easing the lockdown of non-essential retail premises and outlets from Monday 15 June.

This includes high street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Council’s Environmental Health Team has been in contact with businesses across the borough.

The team has given guidance on which businesses are able to open and how they can continue to trade safely within the new legislation.

And it’s now helping businesses to become COVID-19 Secure as even more prepare to reopen their doors again.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “Getting Pendle’s businesses back open and operating safely is one of our key priorities.

“We recognise that businesses have had a tough time and are keen to reopen as soon as possible.

“We’re here to support them through the process and make sure they’re COVID-19 Secure.

 “The last thing we want is for businesses to have to close again because they haven’t put the right measures in place.”

Guidance on managing the reopening process, including a risk assessment, is now available on Pendle Council’s website via www.pendle.gov.uk/covidsecure

Businesses will need to consider things like:

• social distancing outside, inside and behind the scenes
• actions to take where social distances can’t be achieved
• workstations, customer services, returns, fitting rooms, meetings, staff facilities and checkouts
• keeping the workplace clean, frequency, hygiene, use of sanitsers
• the use of Personal Protective Equipment
• handling goods and merchandising
• deliveries and work vehicles.

Once businesses have completed the risk assessment, recorded their findings and implemented their actions they’re considered to be meeting the Government’s legal requirements.

Michael Duck, Commercial Team Leader in Environmental Health, added: “Businesses can then display a COVID-19 Secure notice visibly in their shop window or somewhere outside to show they’ve followed the guidance.

“This will provide confidence and reassurance to staff, customers and visitors that they are controlling the risk of spreading coronavirus.”

If any Pendle businesses needs support as they make plans to reopen, contact Pendle Council’s Environmental Health team on (01282) 662009.