AS MANY businesses across North Nottinghamshire are preparing to reopen following lockdown, North Notts BID has been leading the way with several measures to help them return to normality.
Working closely with Bassetlaw District Council in delivering the government funded Reopening the High Streets Safely initiative, the BID has stepped in to offer additional support in the high streets in Worksop and Retford, with BID Ambassadors acting in a supervisory role to ensure safe queueing and social distancing.
The BID’s project coordinator is also working alongside the council’s business support officer, visiting businesses in Retford, Tuxford, Worksop and Harworth that have reopened to monitor any concerns and provide advice and guidance.
Sally Gillborn, chief executive of North Notts BID, said: “We’re delighted to see so many companies being able to reopen and start bringing trade back into the district. It’s important that everyone works together to help with the recovery, which is why we are working closely with Bassetlaw District Council to support businesses, and this initiative will do just that.
“Alongside the work of the ambassadors and the project coordinator, we have also created a series of videos to help businesses better understand some of the elements of safe reopening, such as the use of PPE, team working and the importance of cleaning.”
The BID has also restarted its free maintenance and repair initiative, which was paused during lockdown. The service provides members with assistance from its dedicated maintenance operative to help with small improvement projects – including painting, gardening and tidying up shop fronts and beer gardens as the retail and hospitality sectors prepare to reopen.
Sally said: “When lockdown started, we unfortunately had to pause our maintenance service, which had proved very popular since its launch in October. We’re very proud to be able to offer the service free of charge to our BID members, and the take-up since it was relaunched has been great to see.”
One business that made use of the service is Stanley Street Social Club in Worksop, which had its car park jet washed ahead of its planned reopening on 6 July.
Bob Wilson, steward at the club, said: “It’s a great service that the BID provides – it was easy to arrange, the maintenance team were friendly and did an excellent job. We can’t speak highly enough of North Notts BID.”
Members can request assistance from the maintenance operative through the BID’s operations team. To find out more about North Notts BID, visit northnottsbid.co.uk.