Melton prepares for safe reopening of most town centre shops

Markings are placed on a Melton town centre pavement to enable safe social distancing for queuing customers EMN-200206-083402001

Supermarkets, food shops, chemists and some other stores are already open again and the government is allowing non-essential shops to do so from June 15.

Melton Borough Council is working closely with Melton BID and Melton Mowbray Town Estate to help make the town centre safe as the lockdown restrictions start to ease over the next few weeks.

Visitors are being reminded to observe social distancing at all times for the safety of themselves and others.

Safe social distancing being demonstrated in Melton town centre by, from left, borough council regulatory services manager, Victoria Clark, Melton BID Manager, Shelagh Core, and Melton Town Estate's Andrew Cooper EMN-200206-083412001

Floor graphics and tape is being used on the pavements along with signage and barriers to help visitors and businesses adhere to social distancing guidance, particularly around queueing.

Borough council leader Joe Orson said: “It is important that we follow the government advice and ‘stay alert’ to control the virus, however, they have also made it clear that some of our retail outlets, including the market, can start to open up as long as measures are in place to protect the public. “We are doing all we can in collaboration with partners and businesses to make sure the town centre is as safe as it can be to allow some safe local shopping again.

“We can offer advice and guidance on how businesses can protect their customers and employees inside and outside their premises.

“We have made assessments on what we think will work best in the town but will keep these under review and may refine the arrangements as required over the next few weeks.

“We are committed to supporting our businesses while ensuring the safety of people visiting the town centre.”

The town centre street market is operating today with a limited number of stalls and will do so again on Saturday.

The stalls are spaced apart to give traders and shoppers plenty of room for social distancing.

The public toilets on Wilton road and at St Mary’s Way will be open today and on future market days with an enhanced cleaning regime in place.

Parking remains free in borough council car parks, until June 15, on Scalford Road, Mill Street, Wilton Road, St Mary’s Way and Chapel Street.