As some businesses are looking towards 15th June reopening and how to safely allow customer back into their premises, we have been working hard to ensure you all have access to PPE equipment and the town is as safe as possible for the public. I have completed a circulated the Hitchin Reopening plan which details the activities we will be delivering in the town centre, please CLICK HERE  to view the document. 

As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have or put you in touch with the right organisation or person to ensure you get the help you need. Please get in touch with me anytime by calling 07597 380818 or email me tom.hardy@hitchinherts.com   

Hitchin Basket – Please submit your businesses by Friday 12th June
The new Hitchin Basket website will launch on Monday 15th June and will be a central point for customers to effectively search for the goods and services they require from the town centre shops and businesses. It will be heavily promoted across all our social media sites and there will be posters all over town, and in the shops and businesses. Please submit your details by Friday 12th June at 3pm. Follow this link to submit https://test.hitchinbasket.com/login/?action=register   If you have any problems submitting your business please contact marketing@hitchinherts.com 

Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments.
The Government has created a document is to help employers, employees and the self-employed in the UK to understand how to work safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, keeping as many people as possible 2 metres apart from those they do not live with. We hope it gives you freedom within a practical framework to think about what you need to do to continue, or restart, operations. Once you have implemented the safe measures, please CLICK HERE to download the poster to put in your window. I have hard copies here in the Information Office for you to collect if needed.

Cardboard Collections
Hitchin BID's free cardboard collections restarted from Monday 1st June. As many businesses will have different opening times and varying amounts of cardboard, please get in in touch with rangers@hitchinherts.com  to confirm you would like a collection. Although our Recycling Rangers will be wearing personal protective equipment, cardboard will need to be placed outside your premises for collection on the day. Cardboard not left outside for collection may not be picked up. Please bear with us while we deal with the backlog of cardboard from businesses who have remained open during the lock down.   

The Town Centre Rangers 
Our Rangers will be in the town centre Monday to Saturday 9am to 5:30pm from Monday 15th June. If you need to get in touch with them, please contact rangers@hitchinherts.com , via your town centre link radio or the Shop Watch/Licence Venues WhatsApp group. 
 
Business Reopening Packs, PPE & Stickers
As well as subsidised reopening packs and PPE we now have U-Tack textured external 2m round floor stickers (300mm x 300mm) with a non-slip finish. These will be available for £2 each.
 
The Information Centre, 1A Churchyard will be open on the follow days for collection -

North Herts Council Discretionary Scheme - 19th June Closing Date 
There was considerable lobbying by North Herts Council to the Government in support of businesses that did not meet the initial grant criteria to be offered financial support. I am pleased to announce that this request was approved, and the Government has issued the Council with £1.3m of discretionary funding for local businesses effected by Covid-19
 
They have taken the view to have a three-week application window running from today to 17.00 on Friday 19 June 2020. The reason for this is to allow all businesses the chance to apply rather than allocating money on a first come first serves basis where some very deserving cases may miss out because they are too late.

If you did not receive a grant and your business has been affected by the pandemic please follow this link and apply for the discretionary grant. closing date - 19th June  www.north-herts.gov.uk/business-support