Pendle News Room

The Government is easing lockdown even further which means many more Pendle businesses and venues can reopen if they are COVID-19 Secure.

This includes restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars as well as hotels, campsites, B&Bs, holiday homes and indoor and outdoor attractions.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “We’re delighted to support our local businesses and help kick-start the economy - please help to support our towns by shopping locally!

“Getting Pendle’s businesses back open and operating safely is one of our key priorities and we’re here to support them through the process.

“Meanwhile, we want to help re-energise our businesses to generate as much public confidence as possible that Pendle is safe to visit again.

“Our residents and visitors must be sure that we’re doing all we can to ensure their safety - but everyone needs to play their part.”

Venues will look and feel very different and the Council is reminding everyone not to forget social distancing and hand hygiene.

Customers may be expected to book a table in advance, be seated throughout their visit, order via apps (where in use) or table service. Currently people can only meet in groups of up to two households.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Council’s Environmental Health Team has supported businesses across the borough.

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

Michael Duck, Commercial Team Leader in Environmental Health, explained: “We’re working hard behind the scenes to help businesses reopen, protecting themselves, staff and customers.

“We’ve produced a COVID-19 Secure risk assessment to help them identify, control and minimise the transmission of coronavirus between staff and customers.”

Guidance on managing the reopening process, including the risk assessment, is 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 for customers and staff
• actions to take where social distances can’t be achieved
• keeping customers and visitors safe
• managing food and drink at a venue
• customer toilets
• keeping the workplace clean, frequency, hygiene, use of sanitisers
• 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 added: “Businesses can then display a COVID-19 Secure notice visibly 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.”

Tourism businesses can also sign up to a free national accreditation scheme called We’re Good to Go launched by VisitEngland.

Mike Williams, Tourism and Events Officer, said: “The scheme encourages tourism businesses to adopt a number of standards to show that they are safe and encourage visitors to return.

“It’s another way to get the message out that Pendle is open for business again!”

More information about the We’re Good to Go Scheme is available at goodtogo.visitbritain.com

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

To contact Mike Williams, Tourism and Events Officer, call 01282 661963 or email Michael.Williams@pendle.gov.uk