Rugby market to return as partners prepare to reopen town centre safely

Rugby Borough Council is working with partners including Rugby First, the company running the town centre Business Improvement District, to make sure that the town centre is ready to reopen as lockdown restrictions are eased.

With open air retail able to restart from 1 June if they can do so safely, the partners have confirmed that Rugby's market will reopen this Friday, 5 June.

The partners are working with market traders to make sure that they have the necessary safety measures in place.

And, with all retail able to reopen from 15 June provided that Government restrictions are eased as expected, work is well underway to make sure that businesses and open spaces are ready.

Also involved are the county council's highways team, which is looking at proposals for changes to the highway network, and Rugby Central, the town centre shopping centre.

Rugby First's Bid Rangers and Rugby Borough Council's Community Wardens are preparing to mark out social distancing guides on pavements and pedestrianised areas, with regular reminders to keep two metres apart.

These measures will particularly focus on bus stops, taxi ranks, the market place and areas where queues may be expected to form.

The leaders of Rugby Borough Council's political groups have welcomed the plans.

To help businesses comply with the government's requirements that they have a risk assessment showing that they are "Covid secure" Rugby Borough Council and Rugby First are providing checklist and guidance documents that traders can complete and make available on request.

Shopkeepers can download the checklist at www.rugby.gov.uk/coronavirus.