It is great to see so many people safely returning to support our local businesses - 80% of high street shops, cafes and restaurants are now open across our Town Centres, so please continue to give them your support. Shopping locally protects local jobs.
- During August the “Eat out to help out” scheme will give us all a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a meal out and benefit from a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner) every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, as many times as we like. After a long period of home cooking, why not make a booking, escape from the kitchen and go out to treat yourself? Our amazing pubs, cafes and restaurants can register to be part of this scheme, here.
- To give our local hospitality businesses more room to trade safely, applications can now also be made for a Pavement Licence under new temporary legislation, here.
- This Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the Covent Garden Quarter Arts & Crafts Market on Warwick Street will showcase a range of artisan, eco-friendly and creative products. CJ’s Events will once again be keeping us safely organised on the day, which promises to be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy hassle-free shopping for gifts and other special items.
- And in a bid to encourage a greater turnover of visitors as more of us return to our Town Centres, charges will restart from 1 August in Warwick District Council’s off-street car parks. Drivers of electric vehicles will continue to enjoy free parking by applying for a permit, here. For those of us looking for a little extra exercise to work off these added calories, we can use the “Park and Stride” car parks at a much lower charge, while supporting our daily step-count!
Don’t forget too, to wear a mask when you are out and about, which is now mandatory for us all. You can keep up to date on the latest Government guidance, here.
Work on the Recovery Plan continues apace, with key Council services being re-instated or enhanced, due to an amazing effort from across our team of staff, contractors and other partners.
- Tomorrow we can restart our exercise programmes, thanks to Everyone Active re-opening Newbold Comyn, Castle Farm and St. Nicholas Park’s leisure centres. Then the phased reopening will follow of the Abbey Fields, Newbold Comyn and St Nicholas Park swimming pools. Find out how to book onto your favourite classes and what safety measures have been put in place at each of our sites, here.
- William Wallsgrove House has remained open during ‘Lockdown’, providing round the clock accommodation and care to the most vulnerable in our society. It’s been a challenging time for the team and the residents, so it was a big boost to receive a grant from the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ scheme, which will support the rehabilitation and mental health of residents. A number of practical initiatives have been funded, such as improvements to the communal garden, cookery sessions, upgrading the resident’s hair salon and providing craft materials for vital creative sessions.
- Third Sector organisations supporting the delivery of essential services to the most vulnerable should apply to the Council’s Community Economic Recovery Fund. Local registered charities, foodbanks, Town and Parish Councils and not-for profit organisations are encouraged to apply for grants up to £3,000, here.
- A few days remain for you to enter the 2022 Commonwealth Games quiz, counting down just two years until we host the Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls at Victoria Park. Win great prizes from local businesses and have some fun with this virtual activity by taking part in this topical quiz.
Finally, it was especially heartening to receive news this week that our Planning and Development team led by Dave Barber, have been recognised by the West Midlands Employers #EverydayHeroes campaign. Working directly with the County, Town and Parish Councils, local Chambers as well as BID Leamington, they have been instrumental in supporting and encouraging our local businesses through-out this difficult period. They’ve had to balance advice on the changes that businesses need to make to keep people safe, whilst at the same time making sure that the shops can get their deliveries in and gain access to premises. We’re incredibly proud of how well this partnership has worked and delighted that Dave and his team have received this well-deserved acclaim for the pivotal role they’ve played. Congratulations!
