Council campaign to boost town centres post-lockdown sees lamppost banners installed in Lancing

‘Welcome back’ is the key message of a new campaign designed to encourage residents to return to town centres in Adur after lockdown.
By Isabella Cipirska
Published 18th Aug 2020, 10:33 BST
The banners in LancingThe banners in Lancing
The banners in Lancing

Adur and Worthing Councils have joined forces with local businesses to reassure visitors that all efforts are being made to make shopping, going out and relaxing in Shoreham and Lancing a safe and relaxing experience.

It comes after a council survey, which received more than 700 responses, showed more than half (53 per cent) of respondents said they would like to visit shops, restaurants or cafes but were concerned about the risks.

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It also showed 20 per cent said they were ambivalent about going out, 17 per cent are happy to go out and nine per cent said they would definitely not be going out.

Staff at the Tap House in ShorehamStaff at the Tap House in Shoreham
Staff at the Tap House in Shoreham

The campaign, titled #WelcomeBackAW, highlights the measures taken to adhere to the government’s guidelines on safe towns and continues to stress the need for individuals to adhere to safety measures such as washing hands, wearing face masks where required and keeping to social distancing measures.

As part of the campaign, new lamppost banners have been put up in Lancing village centre to welcome visitors.

Councillor Brian Boggis, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We have all been affected by this terrible virus and as a Council we will remain on high alert.

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“That is why we are behind this safe return to activity in our town centres.

“We understand we all need to do all we can to answer the genuine concerns residents have and that is why #WelcomeBackAW gives traders the platform to do just that.”

Darren Gearing, one of the owners behind the Tap House in Shoreham’s East Street, said the venue was doing everything possible to keep customers safe.

All team members have undertaken “COVID Return to Work” protocol training while socially distanced tables, hand sanitiser stations, one way signage systems, contactless payments and increased cleaning have been introduced.

Mr Gearing said: “Our teams couldn’t wait to get back to work, we are also fortunate to have many regulars who have all said how happy they are to be back!”

Related topics:Adur District CouncilLancingShorehamCouncil