With shops able to open their doors in York today, after 3 months of closure due to Covid-19, I urge residents to shop locally and support local businesses. Many of these shops have put extensive safety plans in place to aid the public keep safe. York has a significant number of family-run local independent businesses, so it is important that they receive all the support they need from the community to continue to trade.
Local people need to shop locally to act as a lifeline, however the best way to secure business is for the residents to understand that it is safe to venture out. Most shops have seen significant losses in income, some have not qualified for Government grant schemes and are therefore left without support; now is the time to back businesses to bounce back.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said:
“The biggest boost to the local economy will be for York to be known as being a safe city for residents and visitors. Signposting, hygiene stations and being clear that people can and need to keep two metres apart will secure this message.
“Businesses have taken significant measures to ensure that York is safe. I am concerned that the Council’s plans are less comprehensive and have therefore asked for them to be risk assessed. There needs to be assistance across the city to get this right, and if residents don’t feel safe, then they are not safe. I have called for a helpline where people can raise their concerns. We need to support local businesses, and the best test for them is for residents and other workers to feel safe. There must be the ability to learn throughout this recovery period.
“We can all play our part by exercising patience, respecting the space of others and raising concerns with the council where we see them. We are still in the midst of a dangerous pandemic, and everything we do must seek to save lives and stop the spread of infection #StaySafe, #Stay2mApart.”
Follow the link below to read the full article on the York Press website:
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18514080.love-local-business—rediscover-yorks-shops-safety/