Preston’s city centre retailers are ready to safely reopen their doors from 12 April, in line with the government’s publicised road map.

Shops and personal care businesses are preparing to welcome people back into the city, supported by appropriate safety measures to minimise risk.

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Chair of the City’s Retail Forum and BID Committee Member, Andrew Stringer from St George’s Shopping Centre said: “We welcome the safe return of all retailers, and would encourage customers to re-visit, experience the fantastic retail mix that Preston has to offer and to show their support.

“Despite a tricky time for businesses, we’re fortunate that our city centre is still home to a host of big brand names and popular independent business that preserve Preston as the county’s capital for shoppers.”

To support the re-opening of the high street, the BID is re-introducing a range of measures, similar to those it successfully rolled out in the re-opening period of summer 2020.

Measures include the disinfecting of key touch points and street furniture around the city centres main shopping areas, plus an enhanced power washing programme concentrated around high footfall areas.

5,000 re-usable, individually packaged face masks will also be available free of charge for shoppers. They can be collected Monday – Friday from 9.00am-12.30pm (whilst stocks last) at the Flag Market facility.

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The BID continues to support and advise businesses on safe trading requirements, supplying them with social distancing signage and with assets to use across their own marketing channels, to encourage the safe return of customers, in association with Preston City Council’s ‘Reopening High Streets Safely’ programme.

The government-backed fund provides councils with financial assistance to support business communities with measures that enable safe trading in public places.

The fund will particularly focus on high streets, as well as other public places that are at the heart of towns and cities gearing up to reopen as safe, welcoming spaces.

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