Basingstoke getting back in business

VISITORS to Basingstoke town centre and other shopping areas across the borough are being encouraged to follow safety measures while supporting local businesses that are able to reopen next week.

As part of the Government’s roadmap to unlock national Covid-19 restrictions, non-essential retail, personal care businesses and outdoor hospitality will reopen from Monday.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been working with Basingstoke Together, Festival Place, The Malls and local businesses to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for shoppers.

Visitors are being encouraged to plan ahead of their visit as individual businesses, and in particular outdoor hospitality such as bars, pubs and restaurants, are likely to have new measures in place such as booking systems.

Other measures that will continue to be in place when visiting the town centre include walking on the lefthand side of walkways, an increased cleaning schedule of public areas, hand sanitising stations and extensive signage reminding shoppers what they need to do to keep safe.

Town centre ambassadors will also be in place to remind shoppers to wear face coverings and promote the social distancing measures in place.

Motorists will be able to enjoy one hour of free parking in three of the council’s short-stay car parks and electric vehicle owners wishing to charge their EV vehicle in the Feather’s Yard charging hub can also park for free, with just the cost of charging to pay for.

The council’s executive director of borough development Ian Boll said:

“I would like to thank our borough’s businesses who have helped to prevent the spread of Covid-19 locally by continuing to follow the government guidelines.

“To show your support for the local businesses that we all know and love, we would encourage residents and visitors to return to the town centre to enjoy everything it has to offer.

“But please continue to do this safely by following the social distancing measures that will be in place, minimising the amount of people from your household visiting the town centre and avoiding the busiest times of the day.”

For more information, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/shoppingeating-drinking and for more on what’s happening across Basingstoke and Deane, visit the Love Basingstoke website at www.lovebasingstoke.co.uk