We’re good to go too

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been working with partners across the borough to ensure businesses can re-start in a safe way.

This week’s government announcements have been welcomed by many as more businesses can now reopen from 4 July.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been working with partners across the borough to ensure businesses can re-start in a safe way.

Whilst Visit Britain has just launched ‘We’re Good To Go’ a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark, in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as that sector works towards reopening.  

As a new Business support programme started this week, the Council’s Business Growth team has already supported over 2,200 business enquires since the pandemic began in March. The team has received over 100 new enquires for businesses seeking premises in the last four weeks, showing emerging start-up, expansion and opportunities are being considered by businesses and individuals.

On the high street, regulations are changing to welcome back cafes, restaurants and bars with added support of Al fresco space, free licences can be applied for now.

During the lockdown the Council’s libraries, archives and museum services have continued to develop and build their offer, introducing a host of popular online activities. With this week’s announcement, plans are now in place for their safe return starting with Storyhouse library on 4 July and followed by Ellesmere Port, Neston, Northwich and Winsford libraries on the 13 July with revised temporary opening hours. A further five libraries will be reviewed two weeks later.

Staff are returning to the Cheshire Record Office, The Grosvenor Museum, Lion Saltworks and Weaver Hall museums at the beginning of July preparing for opening on revised hours to the public from 27 July.

As part of the plans, Chester’s public toilets at the Groves, Princess Street and Grosvenor Park are reopening tomorrow (Saturday 27 June) providing access to disabled facilities, baby changing and ‘Changing Places’ amenities.

As we welcome more visitors for shopping and leisure in west Cheshire, further facilities in our towns and open spaces will be reopened from 4 July. New signage will be used to guide and enable customers to follow the latest hygiene and safety advice and an increased cleaning regime has been introduced.

Councillor Karen Shore, The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: "We are now able to reopen more of our community services in a phased, controlled and safe manner.

“It’s great to see more people being able to get out and about again which will help everyone’s health and well being. I encourage all of our businesses to look at the new ‘We’re Good To Go’ standard that includes one way systems, clear floor markings and queue management systems being in place to maintain social distancing at attractions.   

"I am confident we will be able to re-open more of our services across the borough in the coming weeks.  In everything we are planning it is important we get the right balance of easing restrictions and protecting health”.

Public conveniences:

Opening 27 June

Princess Street, Chester
The Groves and Grosvenor Park (including the changing places facility), Chester

Opening 3 July

Ellesmere Port town centre
 Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port
Castle Park, Frodsham
Westminster Park, Chester
Sandy Lane, Chester
Stanney Fields, Neston
Parkgate
Marbury Park, Northwich