More about our Social Distancing Coordinators

Date published: 12th June 2020

As part of its “You Are Welcome” campaign, North Norfolk District Council has redeployed a number of officers to help coordinate the District’s recovery following the Government’s relaxation of lockdown rules.

The role of the Coordinators is to provide support, offer advice, signpost to guidance and liaise between relevant stakeholders. The aim is to ensure a safe environment for businesses, residents and visitors to the area and deliver the ‘You are Welcome’ message to everyone.

Coordinators will be working in partnership with other public bodies, such as Town and Parish Councils, Chambers of Trade and the County Highways Department to assist in the delivery of this recovery stage and help businesses who are hoping to reopen their doors in the very near future.

The reopening of non-essential retail businesses is likely to be a phased approach over a period of weeks depending on the type of business and in line with the most recent Government advice.

Key areas of delivery will be ensuring social distancing can be maintained where possible, and queue management. This will include identifying ways in which queues can be managed when there are businesses in close proximity. This may mean the implementation of one-way pedestrian routes and/or the widening of these routes where possible.

The Social distancing Coordinators will also be ensuring that businesses have considered and implemented the relevant guidance and are “Covid Secure”.

People will begin to notice signage and pavement decals being installed in towns and high amenity villages to advise, guide and welcome residents, visitors and businesses. The primary installations of 900+ signs are going in to Sheringham and will then roll out across the District, namely:

• Cromer – town and seafront
• Fakenham
• Holt
• Hoveton
• Mundesley
• North Walsham
• Stalham
• Wells
• Sheringham - town and seafront

Emily Capps, Environmental Protection Manager, commented: “The Social Distancing Coordinators are looking forward to working with local businesses and stakeholders to make North Norfolk a safe place to visit and shop.”

Businesses should look out for Coordinators trying to make contact at the beginning of next week, or can access information and guidance on how to reopen safely on our website.