Helping you visit Newport safely
Posted on Friday 10th July 2020
As the Covid-19 restrictions are steadily lifted in Wales, Newport City Council is working with local businesses to create a safe environment for visitors and shoppers.
From Monday 13 July, when more hospitably and tourism venues are able to re-open, Newport city centre will also benefit from some changes to its pedestrianised areas.
To support social distancing and improve the safety of visitors, additional barriers are being installed at key points to increase the pedestrian areas in the city centre. Vehicle access will be restricted to business deliveries between 6am and 10am in these streets.
Not only will this allow more safe space for those shopping, it will also support more pubs, restaurants and cafés to start offering outdoor services.
The council has adapted its current pavement policy to allow additional outdoor trading and will provide barriers to businesses who wish to take up the opportunity to serve customers outside.
Not only will the barriers help provide a managed outdoor space; messages on them will also be used to remind customers how they can visit and shop safely in Newport.
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We are working hard to support our local businesses and are looking at all the ways we can help the various sectors thrive post-Covid.
“We hope that by helping create an appealing and safe city centre, while supporting businesses to adapt the way they operate, visitors will return and our local economy will thrive again.”
Councillor Roger Jeavons, deputy leader and cabinet member for city services, added: “Before the opening of non-essential retail last month, signage, floor markings, additional cleaning and anti-viral treatments were introduced as part of #ShopSafeNewport. This will continue as more and more facilities are able to open and with these new measures, we will enhance and extend our aim to support a safe and welcoming city for all.”
The support for businesses also reaches across the city. Over 900 businesses have been supported and advised by our regulatory services teams (environmental health and trading standards) and over £46 million of support has been provided to eligible organisations.
Independent licensed businesses, not based in the city centre, but also able to operate from Monday have been contact by council officers to assess their needs and discuss their re-opening plans. The council is committed to ensuring the licensed trade in Newport prospers and does so safely and responsibly.
Meetings have been held with businesses representatives and the police to ensure the most appropriate actions are taken for the city.
A map of the city centre shows how the main shopping areas are interlinked by the pedestrian area and where the enhanced safety measures have been installed.
As High Street is included in the new pedestrianised areas, bus services that used this route will now operate directly to Newport bus station.
www.newport.gov.uk/visitsafe