Week of Action - Working to keep you safe and support local businesses

During this first week of shops, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers reopening, Bedford Borough Council has been working to support local businesses and keep our communities safe.

Officers from the Council have been providing support to businesses ahead of reopening with advice on managing queues, getting necessary signs in place, and engaging with business owners to make sure they were confident ahead of reopening safely on Monday.

COVID marshals and environmental health officers were out and about in the town centre on Monday, supporting businesses in opening safely and carrying out monitoring and compliance checks to ensure that measures were in place to keep staff and the public safe.

Throughout the week, Council officers have been visiting businesses and providing support in the town centre and elsewhere. The Council are also working in partnership with the Police to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves safely and venues have everything they need in place.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "People have been taking advantage of the Coronavirus restrictions easing, supporting our town centres and local businesses, and the vast majority of businesses and visitors have been doing so safely which is great to see. We have been working with businesses in the run-up to this reopening, and have been providing advice, support and monitoring activity to help these businesses reopen safely. By reopening safely and ensuring visitors and businesses are following the Coronavirus measures, we can all do our part to help bring an end to Coronavirus lockdowns."