INITIAL RESPONSE FROM INSWINDON BID TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FOUR-WEEK NOVEMBER LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND

inSwindon BID Manager, Anita Bellinger, gives the following response to the second lockdown.

“I am truly sorry that lockdown restrictions are to be put in place again. Our town centre businesses have worked tirelessly since the pandemic began, to ensure the safety of their customers and evolve their business to match the needs of these extraordinary times.

Now they must use this remarkable resolve to hold on to those solid foundations that have been put in place and weather a second storm. It's important that they know inSwindon BID is here to support them to do that. We have worked together throughout the first lockdown and initial recovery phase, and we will continue to help them through this current period.

Our website has already been updated with the latest Government notifications and guidelines, and we will continue to post daily any information that will assist. We are seeking out what additional measures and schemes will be available to support the town centre businesses and of course any information on testing. All of this will be posted as soon as there is clarification and further circulated via our social media channels.

Our Ambassadors and Caretaker will carry on their duties as normal in the town centre. Considered key workers, they will be available to support those businesses who have remained open for essential needs.

If our town centre businesses need support communicating updates with their customers, we can share this information via our social media channels, website and newsletters. We will continue to promote all our businesses so that they are in the strongest position possible during the lockdown period and for when the town centre can re-open safely again.

inSwindon BID will continue working closely with Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Police, partners and stakeholders as part of the town centre recovery initiative. As we look ahead, we remain vigilant and will continue working on all our planned campaigns for 2021, so there is sustained hope and future growth for Swindon town centre going forward.

This is a devasting blow, again, but we must abide by the new restrictions in order to protect our wonderful Swindon community and the NHS. We will rise to this immense challenge and build on the positivity and progress we have seen happen to date. Since the launch of our #ShineOnSwindon campaign in June, that welcomes businesses back into the town centre since the first initial lockdown, we have seen 17 new businesses open in our town centre.

There will be light at the end of the tunnel, so I ask the Swindon community to hold on to the thought that, 'Together we can!'"