ViSITORS to Solihull town centre will be welcomed back with a ‘safety first’ message as non-essential retail reopens, business leaders say.
Most retail businesses have been given the green light by the government to open their doors from Monday (June 15).
Solihull BID – the Business Improvement District for the town centre – says it has been working alongside key partners to make sure shoppers enjoy a ‘stress-free return’.
The BID has funded social distancing floor stickers as well as benches for people waiting to enter stores.
The floral floor stickers – offered to all town centre businesses – are designed to reinforce the two-metre social distancing rule while conveying a ‘Be Kind’ notion to customers. They include messages such as ‘Nice Shoes’ and ‘Form A Posh Queue Here’.
The BID is also leading on a town centre campaign, asking people to be kind and patient as the town centre responds to a situation never seen before.
The BID added: “Visitors will be able to see which businesses are currently open via the BID’s Store Tracker available on their website or on the Solihull BID app available for Apple and Android devices.
“Benches have been dotted around Mell Square for people that have to wait to enter a queue or for family members shopping. The BID’s Street Wardens will also be on hand to help and ensure people and properties remain safe – as they have done throughout the lockdown period.
“These important steps all form part of the Town Centre Recovery Plan which has seen the BID work alongside Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands Police, Touchwood, Mell Square owners IM Properties and Solihull College & University Centre to look at the challenges facing the town centre.”
Melanie Palmer, Chief Executive of Solihull BID, said: “The town centre will be opening its doors as part of the next phase following Government guidelines.
“We want to make sure we all work together to make our town centre safe and well managed for our visitors to return to.
“We look forward to welcoming our loyal visitors back to our wonderful business community.”
For more information on the Town Centre Recovery Plan, visit the BID website – www.solihullbid.co.uk
