Newquay BID will soon to be focusing on a future town-wide approach to economic recovery together with local authorities and partner organisations including Newquay Town Council, Cornwall Council, LEP and local community and working groups.

Carla Marie Jones, Newquay BID Manager says; ‘Now we have some more understanding of how the restrictions are likely to be lifted in phases over the coming weeks and months thanks to the UK Governments roadmap, this allows us the opportunity to begin to plan ahead in order to support the business community. It will be quite some time before Newquay reverts back to the Newquay we knew and loved previously, but we are confident that Newquay will find a way, like all other destinations, in order to reset itself back to a healthy and buoyant town centre trading environment in the future, even if that economic landscape as we previously knew it has altered somewhat because of COVID19. It’s an equally challenging, yet exciting time for Newquay. As a destination, it has been given the chance to find new opportunities, new ways of working and even new business ideas and revamped business models. The community spirit and buy in from the locals to those businesses who have gone above and beyond during this time is remarkable and has indeed created a resurgence in that feel good, support local, positivity factor.

We will be working collectively with partner organizations and the BID member businesses themselves to make sure Newquay is seen as a safe, credible and compliant destination when visitors and residents are invited and able to return to utilise the town. It’s now more important than ever, that the residents of Newquay support their local businesses as much as they can over the coming months – be it buying a contactless takeaway coffee or continuing to have local fruit and veg delivered to your door, or simply sharing businesses content on social media channels or recommending local businesses to a friend or neighbor. Businesses are continuing to invest into Newquay through this pandemic and its times like these they need your return loyalty and support.

The opening phases of non-essential retail will pose some challenges for businesses in which a very short lead time has been given for them to make changes to their businesses which we know will be causing some additional concerns or worries. We are channeling information and guidance documents as and when received by the UK Government through our channels to ensure all businesses will be in good stead to begin to adapt their businesses and ensure COVID19 safety compliance for future trading. Public safety remains the priority and for Newquay this is another ample opportunity for the creative, dynamic and awe-inspiring business community to pull together, share ideas and aid their neighboring businesses through this recovery phase. There is strength and resilience demonstrated through unity so its important that the key organizations who may be able to drive and influence change are also collaborating to ensure Newquay’ s future successes. None of us can do this alone.

The High Streets Task Force have recently published a 10 point recovery checklist which as a guide, Newquay will need to consider in order to move forwards. This includes important measures and safety guidelines which need to be assessed through a town wide approach – such as cleaning and sanitizing, enhanced social distancing and ongoing communication with businesses on how they are to ensure their own safety and the safety of their customers. Newquay BID’s priority still remains supporting its businesses, ensuring we are providing them with all possible information on the support and financial measures available to them. The BID website and social media is being updated regularly with advice and information as soon as we have it.

We are also pleased to hear that the UK Government have announced a ‘Re-Opening the High Streets Safely Fund’ which will shortly be made available to Cornwall Council. Newquay BID are keen to work with Cornwall Council on their strategy and plans for the town to utilise this funding over the coming months. It’s important we stay firmly on the map as a key destination in Cornwall and we would hate to see Newquay fall behind or not to see any benefit from this safety fund, when ultimately, safety is the key priority for all towns in ensuring future prosperity.”

Carla continued, “We are actually very fortunate in that Cornwall as a whole is actually very well placed in the future to host tranquil, safe and socially distant escapes. We have miles of beautiful beaches, idyllic coves, vast moorland and open space aplenty which is certainly not to be overlooked or forgotten. Newquay in particular has some of the best beaches, miles of dramatic coastline, top rated accommodation and a multitude of activity providers, let alone the previously vibrant food and drink scene, which will hopefully hold us in good stead for the future of tourism and the economic benefits that it brings back to our town once its deemed safe to do so.

We regularly consult with the other Cornish BID teams in utilising our collective voice in ensuring we are able to be involved and influence the future of all our towns. We are always sharing best practice and information on county-wide recovery, as well as forming part of the South West BID group which is continually lobbying the UK government to understand the crucial need to support all BID members, and BID organisations going forward, as we all work together to transition out of this crisis situation and back into fruitful, profitable business and trading economy for all members, and all locations.

For more information, please see the Newquay BID website or email info@newquaybid,co.uk

https://highstreetstaskforce.org.uk/latest-news/task-force-releases-10-point-checklist-for-covid-19-recovery-stages