As many Newquay businesses prepare to open their doors again, following a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also implementing new measures to ensure maximum safety for their staff, customers and the wider community. This may mean adapting, shaping, or even entirely changing their business propositions to make them safe and compliant.
This comes at a time when new support has been announced, and is no doubt gladly received by businesses, including the Cornwall Council Discretionary Small Business Grants. Cornwall has received around £13.5m from the government to use for grants for small businesses. There is an agreed policy for who can apply for this grant which can be accessed on the Cornwall Council’s website.
Cornwall Council has also announced that it will tolerate, and not take any enforcement action for 2020, in respect of any business in a town centre that wishes to place outside temporary furniture adjoining their premises without planning permission, providing there are no public safety implications. This is to allow businesses to re-open safely and provide additional space to enable customers to exercise any social distancing requirements, as well as supporting businesses through this difficult economic period.
Some businesses in Newquay who are looking forward to reopening include the popular iconic ice cream parlour chain, known for its creative and quirky flavours, Ben & Jerry’s. Based on Central Square, the world-famous blue-chip chain has been invested in the town since the shop’s opening. All being well, store manager, Jane Hawkey hopes to reopen the store for business in week commencing June 8th.
Jane commented, “We are implementing a host of measures to ensure the safety of our staff and customers as advised by Ben and Jerry’s and Cornwall Council so customers visiting us will notice a few changes. This will see us conduct a thorough and deep clean of the shop as well as initiate revised vigorous cleaning schedules. We will be retraining staff to ensure they are fully prepared and equipped to follow all cleaning and hygienic procedures safely and they will be wearing substantial personal protective equipment at all times. We will be introducing a one-way system through the shop with only one group inside at any one time and there will be an abundance of hand sanitiser for customers to use.”
Jane continued, “In addition to this, we have revised signage which will remind customers to maintain a two-metre distance between themselves, will be accepting contactless payment only and will be operating on reduced hours. Yet, despite all of this change, we can assure visitors that we will still remain a happy and welcoming ice cream shop and we certainly haven’t changed in that respect!”
Project Eighty Three is a new motorbike sand street fashion clothing premises that opened just three weeks prior to the lockdown, stocking the ultimate brands for woman who want to ride in style. The store, based in Wesley Yard, will reopen its doors on June 15th and will also be introducing some new measures.
Co-founder, Gillan Pope explains, “We are really excited to be able to reopen our doors but our team, customers and the wider community are our priority and for that reason, we will be making some changes to the way we operate. We will be offering customers hand sanitiser and gloves on entry of our shop and we will have in place a separate entrance and exit to keep to social distancing regulations. We will also be limiting the number of customers in the shop at one time so that we can keep people at the vital two-meter distance from one another.”
Gillan continued, “We are lucky to have our outside space with benches where people can enjoy an evening drink in the sun but that will be limited to groups that the government has set in their guidelines. By day we will be offering take away coffees. We really look forward to welcoming customers old and new back!”
Family business, the Heron Tennis Centre reopened three weeks ago on reduced hours and is keeping a couple of courts free to allow a lower number of people on and off court at changeovers. Its indoor courts are not currently open and they are working on a one-at-a-time in reception basis. Hand sanitiser stations have been created at focal points across the site and the business is accepting strictly contactless payment only. Until further notice and changing government guidance, the Courtside Café, main building and toilet facilities will remain closed.
Director and Senior Coach, Jon Askey said, “We are following the government guidelines and then we make changes once our governing body, the LTA, updates us. We have made a step by step start and have been running for three weeks now. We continue to navigate through and are hugely thankful to many members, especially those who continued with Heron although we were closed. Our opening hours at the moment are Monday to Friday 1-8pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm and Sunday 9am – 12pm. We can also offer soft drinks for takeaway from our mini fridge at reception for those thirsty after a game.”
Jon continued, “It’s our family business and you don’t have to be a member to come to Heron Tennis, everyone is welcome. For more information, to book a full size or mini court, please call 01637 877555, email herontennis@aol.com or visit us on Facebook at Heron Tennis and Ace Tennis Coaching & Academy. We hope to see you safely on court soon!”
Carla Marie Jones, Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) manager said, “It is fantastic that some businesses are thinking about and starting to reopen. It is important to get the economy moving again but this needs to be done in everyone’s’ interests and in the safest way possible for everyone. As more sectors begin to slowly re-open over coming weeks, please ensure you consider public safety and the public realm when implementing any form of queuing system outside of your premises. Wherever possible, you are strongly recommended to work with your neighbouring business to ensure that you are all able to equally operate in a safe and compliant manner without causing an obstruction or to the detriment of other businesses operating in your vicinity.”
Carla continued, “An extensive ‘Business Re-Opening Guide’ which details all safety measures for your business, cleaning protocols, risk assessment templates, and a ‘Back to Business Checklist’, as well as details of free, sector specific webinars is available to view at: https://www.businessregulatorysupport.co.uk/recovery. For further information on business support, please visit: https://www.ciosgrowthhub.com/. For details of free parking in Cornwall Council car parks for NHS and health and social care staff, see: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news-room/media-releases/news-from-2020/news-from-may-2020/free-parking-in-council-car-parks-for-nhs-and-health-and-social-care-staff/.”
If any Newquay-based businesses would like Newquay BID to share its news through its channels, such as any details of re-opening, changes to opening hours or simply positive business news, please do send all content to social@newquaybid.co.uk.
