A new scheme that supports hospitality businesses affected by the pandemic has been singled out as a leading light in the Liverpool City Region.
Customers visiting night time venues across St Helens Borough can be confident that their visit is safe thanks to a Covid-19 Nightlife Aware Accreditation Scheme.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority at a meeting today, Friday, highlighted the work being done by the accreditation scheme here in the borough.
Businesses that have the accreditation will be recognised for having taken steps to keep staff and customers as safe as they can be from Covid-19.
The programme is being delivered by Night Time Economy Solutions and is one aspect of St Helens Borough Council’s Economic Reset and Recovery Plan that will help to support businesses.
Councillor Jeanie Bell, Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities, said: “We know that the last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the hospitality sector who have faced challenging trading conditions. This accreditation programme is an example of how we can offer practical help to support them as they reopen fully to the public while still dealing with the impacts that Covid-19 continues to have on trading.
“This is just one of the many ways we are putting the funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Town Centres Fund to good use to encourage people to venture out again and support our local businesses. It’s great that they’ve recognised our innovative approaches which are focused on making customers feel safe, businesses supported and ultimately helping to support our local economy.”
Among the measures that businesses are taking to gain their Covid-19 safe accreditation are providing more seats, using as much outdoor space as possible, providing meet and greet staff and using contactless order and payment options where ever possible.
The initial scheme will then build into the implementation of Best Bar None accreditation for night time businesses in the borough, a Home Office backed programme which encourages businesses to share their experiences and help each other raise standards for the night time economy in the borough.
Councillor Bell added: “Our Economic Reset and Recovery Plan, approved last week at Cabinet, takes into account that as a council we have a role to play in supporting businesses with their recovery. This accreditation scheme, along with a varied events programme and other channels of funding support, show that we are providing the tools for businesses to rebuild and providing people with the opportunities to come into our borough and spend their money with our businesses, helping to grow our economy.”
Other measures to support businesses include a range of family friendly events in St Helens and Earlestown town centres running until December and innovative apps that will help support businesses and customers.
These activities are funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Town Centre Fund and by the European Regional Development Fund.
