PPE & Public Realm Resources plus Survey

We hope you are all safe and well.

We know that businesses are beginning to prepare for ‘life after lockdown’ in some form. We are also actively working on a town centre recovery plan with our partners, which includes managing the public realm to ensure customers feel safe and welcome.

 

Emerging Guidance & PPE Resources

Though detailed government guidance is not yet available, some industry groups have issued preliminary guidance, such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) whose advice for retail stores can be found by clicking here. They have also issued some helpful Q&A guidance which practical information relating to kits, staff, customers, inside and outside the store liabilities, and have guidance on warehousing and distribution spaces too.

Generally, this suggests the use of hand sanitiser, counter screens, floor marking and various types of PPE (personal protective equipment). Recognising growing demand, the government has issued a warning that some products may run out, so we are thinking about this now. We are also aware of the need to find collective cost savings, so are exploring the option of bulk purchasing some products, but this will depend on demand and consistency of needs.

Reflecting this, we have compiled some summary information and a short survey, to help us understand your potential needs.

Please find attached:

  1. BID summary document (PPE Resources – click here) including details of local suppliers and some specialist suppliers, from further afield who we have previously worked with.

 

Survey – Business Supplies & Support:

If you are interested in bulk buying / delivery opportunities or bespoke floral floor graphics or angel wings (see below), please fill in this short survey. Please complete this by Sunday 10th May, so we can action this accordingly first thing next week.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DCBXTBW

Please note, we can make no promises on the supply of products mentioned in this survey but will do our very best to accommodate or signpost identified needs. However, if you are concerned about timing on items (e.g. bespoke counter screens) we encourage you to make contact with relevant suppliers soon.

By completing this survey, you will help us to:

  1. Anticipate demand, so we can explore bulk buying options on your behalf;
  2. Identify high quality local suppliers that you can source products from;
  3. Help to ensure consistency of products and messages around the town centre to aid customers;
  4. Potentially reduce costs and the carbon footprint by coordinating delivery;
  5. Identify other areas where support is needed.

Public Realm: Floral Social Distancing Stickers & NHS Angel Wings

As you will see attached and within the survey, we are preparing to install some bespoke floral floor graphics in public realm areas to highlight social distancing needs AND importantly, to provide a welcoming environment in our town centre. We have sourced these from a specialist placemaking company called ‘City Dressing’ and want to understand the wider demand for these so we can consider additional purchasing options. We are also exploring the idea of ‘Angel Wings’ window graphics and would value your feedback via the survey above.

 

Other Updates:

 

Raise the Bar

Many thanks to the businesses who have supported this, particularly Nigel from Status Menswear and Matt from the Royal Pug, who provided case studies for local and national press. We continue to work hard on lobbying government. The petition now has nearly 15,000 signatures!

 

Extended Government Support

On Saturday 2nd of May, the government announced a discretionary fund has been set up to accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme. This equates to a further £617 million pounds of business support. We are still awaiting details of funding criteria and will be in touch as soon as we know. You can read about the scheme by clicking here.

 

BID Funding

On Friday 1st May, the government announced Business Improvement Districts will receive a share of 6.1 million in funding to help high streets and town centres through the pandemic. This recognises the role BIDs like ourselves are playing, offering hands-on support to those businesses affected, including advisory services, increased security to protect businesses that have closed, and providing key intelligence to local and central government on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their local economies. We are still awaiting details of this funding, but welcome this, as it will be invested directly into supporting our members and the town centre during these challenging economic times. You can read about the scheme by clicking here.

 

Stay Up to Date & Follow Us

Please 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. Stay tuned as next week we are going digital with a podcast and Zoom interview which will be shared on Facebook.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Steph or Alison on info@bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com if you have any queries and we will be in touch again soon.

Best wishes and stay safe.