Burnley BID launches campaign to ensure people can re-discover the town safely

The Burnley Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a campaign, Re-Discover Burnley Town Centre, to encourage people to shop and support local with restrictions having eased from Monday 12th April.

Safety measures and guidelines have been implemented so that everyone can feel safe about returning to the town centre and visiting non-essential businesses that are finally allowed to reopen.

As part of the campaign, social graphics will be posted on the Discover Burnley social channels to remind visitors of the safety measures in place, and a landing page on the Discover Burnley website will feature offers and deals from Burnley businesses that are reopening.

Town centre businesses have also been encouraged to capture photos and videos during the first week of being back open. These will be shared over the Discover Burnley social media channels to display safety measures and to also highlight the fantastic products and services the businesses have to offer.

Burnley BID Project Manager Andrew Dean has spoken more about welcoming back shoppers to the town, commenting: “With non-essential shops and businesses finally being allowed to reopen, shoppers will be welcomed into the town centre with the hopes to begin boosting the local economy again and supporting our local businesses after a very challenging year.

“We can’t wait to welcome people into the town centre so making sure it is safe and Covid secure has been a priority.”

Local businesses have also been working with Burnley Borough Council to ensure they all have sufficient measures in place to keep the public safe. These include safety signage, social distancing measures and one way/queuing systems where necessary.

Shoppers in the town centre will be able to see safety signage throughout the town on lampposts, an electronic sign at the bottom of Manchester Road and barriers outside Primark for queuing.

In Charter Walk shopping centre there is a one way system in place in the walkways, and the wide pedestrianised pavements allow for social distancing.

As well as non-essential businesses and salons reopening, outdoor hospitality will also return from 12th April. Shoppers will notice that there are alfresco dining options available for some of their favourite cafes, bars and restaurants throughout the town.

With backing from the Burnley BID, Burnley Borough Council is introducing a ‘free after 3’ car parking scheme from 12th April too. The scheme allows shoppers to park for free on all council-run car parks in Burnley town centre from 3pm-9pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays.

Initially running for a three month trial period, the scheme aims to help boost the local economy and  aid social distancing by allowing people to spread out their shopping to later in the day and to also encourage people to eat out in the evening.