Measures in place as more businesses set to reopen this weekend 

Visitors to Basingstoke town centre and other areas of the borough are being encouraged to follow safety measures while supporting businesses that are able to reopen this weekend. 

As part of the government’s next phase of lockdown restrictions being eased, more non-essential retail and hospitality premises, such as hairdressers, restaurants and pubs, to reopen from Saturday (4 July).

Following the announcement, officers from the council have been supporting businesses that are able to reopen to ensure they have the appropriate safety measures in place.

Visitors are being encouraged to be considerate of other visitors and plan ahead as individual businesses, particularly bars, pubs and restaurants are likely to have new measures in place such as booking systems and new seating arrangements.

A number of measures will remain in place in the Top of The Town, Festival Place and The Malls such as walking on the left hand side of walkways, an increased cleaning schedule of public areas, hand sanitising stations and extensive signage reminding shoppers what they need to do to keep safe. 

Play areas and outdoor gyms reopening 

Play areas and outdoor gyms are set to reopen in the borough from Saturday 4 July.

The borough council will start reopening its 150 play areas and 50 play areas belonging to parish and town councils from this Saturday and is encouraging people to follow government guidance to reduce the risk of spreading the virus when using the equipment.

Before each play area and outdoor gym can be safely reopened it must be inspected and residents are asked not to use the equipment until the council’s team has carried out this work and declared it fit for use. 

Signage will be placed at each location asking people to follow government guidance including:

•  giving other people space in line with the current social distancing guidance
• washing hands before and after visiting
• using hand sanitiser gel or wipes to clean hands
•  putting tissues or rubbish in the bins provided.

No food or drink should be consumed in the play areas and people are asked not to use the facilities if they are busy to help keep themselves and other safe.

Play areas and outdoor gyms in the borough were closed in March due to the pandemic. Their reopening has been announced as part of the latest set of COVID-19 recovery guidance issued by the government.

Residents can find their nearest play area at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/playareas
 

Other non-COVID-19 council news 

Recycling banks destroyed by fire 

Two paper and cardboard recycling banks at Stratton Park are being removed after they were destroyed by a fire. The banks at the council owned bring site in Pack Lane have been burnt out and can no longer be used. The fire occurred during the early hours of Friday 26 June and the incident has been reported to the police. Further work is taking place to determine if the paper and cardboard banks at this site can be replaced. 

For more information on the borough council’s bring sites visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/recycling-sites

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