GOV.UK Update, Risk Information & Opening Resources: 11th June

Hi everyone,

We are excited to be nearing the date when many businesses will gradually open and we know there is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to prepare. Firstly, my apologies for the length of this – as detailed below, we found out the date of the highways changes tonight (while writing) so this is now briefly included (with more to follow soon). Please use the key below to identify information relevant to you:

  1. Preparing to Return – Government Guidance
  2. Risk Assessments
  3. Highways Changes / Road Closures / Deliveries / Free Parking – Please READ (Closures coming next week)
  4. Public Realm Management – Pavement & Window Stickers and Posters
  5. HR / Bringing People Back – Webinar coming …

 

1.  Preparing to Return – Government Guidance

No doubt you will have seen a range of industry specific literature and advice relating to businesses opening considerations and requirements. The following GOV.UK website links, are being constantly updated and are a clear and accurate source of information. The PDF summary of the ‘shops and branches’ guidance can be downloaded by clicking here.

UK.GOV Guidance for a wide range of other sectors, activities and questions can also be found by clicking the following UK.GOV web links (right click, open hyperlink):

 

2.  Risk Assessments – Please do an assessment and display the ‘Retail Display Poster’ at the link below.

Employers have a duty to reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures, and must work with any other employers or contractors sharing the workplace so that everybody’s health and safety is protected. Using relevant guidance (above) you are required to make a step by step assessment of potential risks posed by COVID-19 in your workplace and the measures taken to mitigate them. If you have not already done so, an assessment should be made as soon as possible.

Once done, you should share the results of your risk assessment with your workforce. If possible, you should consider publishing the results on your website. 

We also recommend that you display this poster (please see the link) in your workplace, to show you have followed this guidance. Please click here (PDF). 

 

Help Writing a Risk Assessment:

A number of people have asked us for advice on how to write a risk assessment, including templates and examples. We suggest the following steps:

      1. Identify hazards
      2. Assess the risks
      3. Control the risks
      4. Record your findings
      5. Review the controls
 
Risk Assessment Examples and Templates:
  • We are happy to provide a risk assessment template from the HSE as well as one with some example Covid-19 wording (word doc – please email us if this would help?). Please note, your risk assessment must always be specific to your business.
  • You can also find other specific examples as follows (PDF links, right click, open hyperlink):
  • We advise you take a methodical approach, speak to others including your staff to inform your understanding of relevant risks, and please feel free to speak to us

 

3.  Highways Changes / Road Closures / Deliveries

 Changes are Coming …

We have just been informed that Warwickshire County Council plan to close a number of roads in the town centre in advance of businesses re-opening on Monday 15th June. That means closures will be installed on the evening of Sunday 14th. 

The closure, is much like the one that is put in place on Sundays at Christmas and includes:

  • The Parade between Clarendon Avenue and Regent Grove.
  • Warwick Street between Tavistock Street and Guy Street.
  • Regent Street between Bedford Street and Park Street.

The scheme also involves:

  • The temporary suspension of some on-street parking on one side of Park Street, parts of Warwick St, Bedford St, and Regent Grove.
  • Reducing Bath Street to a single lane of traffic.
 
Business Impact and Support:

Recently, a huge amount of time has been spent engaging with Warwickshire County Council on their plans. A number of sensible changes to the original plans have been negotiated. Among the issues we are stressing, is the importance of retaining  access to the ‘closed area’ for the loading, delivery and collection. This includes: any kind of cars, vans and trucks needed to re-stock businesses, any kind of delivery (UPs, Courier, Post, Food, Products etc) and any kind of collection (Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Own vehicles etc) as we know businesses are all heavily reliant on this. We are also considering click and collect, areas to extend trading, disabled parking, bus routing and more.

As of today, important aspects of the proposals need improvement. After feeding this back, Warwick District Council have stepped in to help us where we need it – and we are very grateful. Our absolute priority is to make this transition as safe, smooth and welcoming as possible.

As a part of this, we will be setting up a process for you to easily feedback any questions or concerns. For their part, the County Council have said they are flexible and will adapt plans if needed.

Free Parking!

As well as supporting the town centre with the road closures, Warwick District Council have also announced FREE Parking in off-street car parks until the 1st of August. With respect to this, we would be grateful if you can encourage your staff to use ‘multi-story’ car parks (St Peters or Covent Garden), so that surface, shorter stay car park spaces are free for customers.

 

4.  Public Realm Management – Stickers and Posters

We are happy to supply you:

  • Floral Social Distancing Pavement Stickers (with and without text)
  • Floral ‘Please Queue here’ Window Stickers
  • Floral ‘We’re Open’ Window Stickers

Also, we have some helpful store posters and social medial images coming your way soon to direct customers and foster a sense of kindness and understanding as we transition forwards. That is for another email though … In the meantime, please let us know if you would like any of the above? Guidance on queueing and ‘sticker placement’ is also attached.  

     

 

5.  HR / Bringing People Back … Webinar Coming

As we transition into the next phase of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for furloughed staff on the 1st July, we know that a number of questions will arise. As before, please get in touch if you need any specific HR advice as our support arrangement with Absolute Works HR continues. They are working with us to prepare a ‘return to work’ support package – coming soon.

Also, we are planning a webinar with Absolute Works that will include a Q&A and round table discussion on practical HR and Employment law issues and the CJRS (furlough scheme). Please watch this space for the invitation. In the meantime, please email us any immediate questions you have …

Phew  … We need some flowers now …

Don’t forget to join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already. We will also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page – and the Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page is where we will showcase what you are now doing.

Best wishes and we look forward to seeing you soon,

Steph & Alison