Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire councils have gone live with an initiative to support businesses to show they’re doing the right things to be COVID safe for customers and staff.
The Business Pledge is aimed at all businesses across the sub-region, including shops, factories, offices and eventually hospitality, as a way of reassuring staff and customers that businesses and venues are operating in a COVID-secure manner.
The Pledge has been developed to support businesses as England takes the next step on the roadmap out of lockdown.
It is entirely voluntary, but by signing up to the Pledge, businesses are making a positive statement that they are following the relevant guidelines and are putting in place measures to ensure their premises are COVID-secure to safeguard the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors alike.
The pledge covers social distancing, face coverings, ventilation, vaccination, testing and isolating, employee health and well-being and risk assessments.
Solihull businesses can sign-up to the Business Pledge.
Here they will be able to read and take the pledge, sign up for information on business support, and access the Business Pledge poster and some social media collateral so they can show their business and premises support the necessary measures to be COVID-secure.
Nick Page, Chief Executive of Solihull Council, said:
“The Business Pledge is a simple way for Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire authorities to help businesses reassure customers that they are doing all they can to operate in a COVID-secure way.
“The pledge is a voluntary commitment to follow the necessary guidance and legislation to operate in a COVID-secure manner, although we have to acknowledge everyone, including us as customers, still need to remain vigilant, alongside the businesses we may visit.
“We want to encourage people to use their local shops and businesses safely and the Business Pledge will be a visible reminder to customers that businesses are doing the right things to operate in a COVID safe way.”
Lee Osborne, Development Manager, Federation of Small Businesses said:
“The next step on the road to recovery is very welcome, as our high streets and local centres are the lifeblood of our local communities and it is positive that many of our small businesses can now re-open. Many small business owners have spent significant amounts in adapting their business and putting in measures to make their premises safe.
“The pledge is therefore a helpful initiative for businesses to demonstrate that they are doing the right thing and following best practice to help reassure both staff and customers. This has been an unbelievably tough year for small firms and now more than ever they need our support, in any way we can.”
Melanie Palmer, Director of Solihull BID, said:
“Recognising that shopping during the COVID restrictions seemed more of an obstacle course than a pleasure, we are now seeing our town centres transform into greener, more open, meeting spaces with an informed focus on safety. ` The Pledge` is an important initiative to remind us all how hard our businesses and key partners have worked to make our public spaces safer for all.”
Lillian Elekan, Head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, said:
“As we gear up for the next phase of easing out of COVID restrictions, it’s only natural for customers and employees to feel a little unsure about venturing into their local town centres or back to their work places, but businesses are working incredibly hard to ensure they are Covid-19 secure, and visiting businesses, or returning to work, really can be a safe and enjoyable experience.
“We therefore support the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire COVID Business Pledge introduced to reassure staff and customers alike that businesses and venues are operating in a COVID secure manner, and following best practice.
“In Solihull, we are incredibly lucky to have a variety of fantastic local businesses, providing a myriad of services and products to thousands of residents and visitors. These businesses, like many others, have been hit hard by the COVID crisis, and now, perhaps more than ever, need our support.”