Open for business
Kettering Borough Council have been working closely with local shops, businesses and other organisations, to ensure our high streets opened safely on 15 June following a lengthy period of closure due to the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic. We have provided guidance and support to businesses to introduce new safety measures to ensure social distancing and queue management for visitors. New floor stickers will promote social distancing and safe movement of shoppers around towns and show customers where to queue. Shoppers are encouraged to look out for the new signage and follow the instructions accordingly.
Businesses that would like support or guidance with reopening are asked to email economicdevelopment@kettering.gov.uk
Safe and clean
As well as our work with businesses, our town centres will see an enhanced cleaning regime and residents may notice our street cleansing team regularly disinfecting bins and benches. Our wardens are out and about with PCSOs in Kettering, Burton Latimer, Desborough and Rothwell, acting as the eyes and ears for any potential difficulties. Our Environmental Health team continues to monitor and review the town centre to identify any businesses with concerns / further pinch points.
Work is also taking place to make alterations to the bus shelters on Eskdaill Street. Some of the panelling will be removed to improve safety for those using public transport, by making it easier to practice social distancing.
FREE Parking
Parking is currently FREE in all Kettering Borough Council car parks, and will remain so until the end of July, before being reassessed.
Markets are back!
Markets are back! This week’s markets have been held on Kettering Market Place, where they remain until further notice, to ensure stalls are not blocking the high street and have more space. We are not currently charging for market stalls and have helped all traders set up hand sanitation stations.
The future
We’re also looking to improve the street scene including signage and promotional material, as well as delivering public realm improvements through Kettering’s Heritage Action Zone programme (HAZ) and providing a programme of entertainment to encourage footfall whilst maintaining social distance.
As part of this, we’re looking for local street entertainers, musicians, buskers, dancers, acrobats and more to entertain visitors to our town centres. If you think you’ve got what it takes, please contact events@kettering.gov.uk
Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “As Kettering Borough’s town centres are reopening to the public, we’re working closely with businesses and encouraging visitors to stay safe and shop local. All possible measures have been put in place to help create a very safe and pleasurable shopping experience and I encourage people to support local businesses, now they have reopened, to help them get back on track.”
Rochelle Mathieson, Head of Commercial Development at Kettering Borough Council, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into helping get high streets ready for re-opening and I thank all those involved in putting these essential measures in place so quickly. Local businesses have been devastated by this pandemic and it is so important for our local economy, local employment and business owners, that we do all we can to ensure they can open safely and start to trade again.”
A webpage has been created with more information about town centres re-opening at www.thisiskettering.com/reopening
