High Street gets back to new normal
Slough High Street will look a little different from today as more shops have been allowed to reopen.
Shoppers will notice barriers outside some shops and banks as well as directional arrows on the floor to remind people to maintain social distancing while back in the town centre.
Some parking bays will be commandeered to make pavements wider to allow people space to social distance while walking.
Businesses have responsibilities to make sure there are not too many people in their premises at any one time so social distancing can be maintained between customers and also staff.
People may have to queue to get in some shops and should listen to and work with staff who will be directing shoppers and informing them of precautions in place inside.
Some shops deemed to be providing essential services have remained open in Slough during the coronavirus public health crisis and non-essential shops will be opening their doors.
The council has been working with businesses throughout to provide fair and equitable space while people wait to get into shops and offering assistance and advice.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “The opening of non-essential shops will bring people back into the town centre and we would encourage people to shop locally and support out local small businesses and retailers.
“Tracker analysis for Centre of Cities has found Slough is in the top ten in Britain for people returning back to the high street.
“Slough’s success is due to local people using our High Street, both residents and workers. There is still a long way to go but this will be helped by the reopening of non-essential shops from today.
“There have been some measures, like signage, in place in the High Street for businesses which have remained open during the lockdown, but with more shops now allowed to be open there will be more to advise people how to move around.
“Shoppers will be instrumental in the success of rebooting the economy and controlling the virus by maintaining social distance at all times will be key.
“We are also advising that shoppers should come in and out of the town centre and return home as soon as their activity is finished.”
Shoppers will notice barriers outside some shops and banks as well as directional arrows on the floor to remind people to maintain social distancing while back in the town centre.
Some parking bays will be commandeered to make pavements wider to allow people space to social distance while walking.
Businesses have responsibilities to make sure there are not too many people in their premises at any one time so social distancing can be maintained between customers and also staff.
People may have to queue to get in some shops and should listen to and work with staff who will be directing shoppers and informing them of precautions in place inside.
Some shops deemed to be providing essential services have remained open in Slough during the coronavirus public health crisis and non-essential shops will be opening their doors.
The council has been working with businesses throughout to provide fair and equitable space while people wait to get into shops and offering assistance and advice.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “The opening of non-essential shops will bring people back into the town centre and we would encourage people to shop locally and support out local small businesses and retailers.
“Tracker analysis for Centre of Cities has found Slough is in the top ten in Britain for people returning back to the high street.
“Slough’s success is due to local people using our High Street, both residents and workers. There is still a long way to go but this will be helped by the reopening of non-essential shops from today.
“There have been some measures, like signage, in place in the High Street for businesses which have remained open during the lockdown, but with more shops now allowed to be open there will be more to advise people how to move around.
“Shoppers will be instrumental in the success of rebooting the economy and controlling the virus by maintaining social distance at all times will be key.
“We are also advising that shoppers should come in and out of the town centre and return home as soon as their activity is finished.”
