Craven District Council is urging people to shop locally and safely this Christmas with a new online resource promoting high street businesses.

As part of its Reopening High Street Safely (RHSS) campaign, the webpage at www.cravendc.gov.uk/shopsafechristmas helps inspire residents and visitors on where to shop during the festive season – both online and instore.

A new video featuring 21 different businesses from the key shopping areas of Skipton, Cross Hills, Bentham, Grassington, Settle and Ingleton has also been launched on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cravencouncil

Tied together by the hashtag #ShopSafeCraven, the short film showcases the diverse range of high street businesses, all united in the message that Craven is a safe, unique and great place to shop.

Marketing materials to support the #ShopSafeCraven campaign are also being made available to businesses.

Council leader Richard Foster said: “There’s no question that it has been a difficult year for our high streets, but the resilience and resourcefulness of our business community has been an inspiration.

“We are lucky that Craven has such incredible variety and quality of local shops and hospitality businesses, so it’s vital we all do our bit to support them and our local economy. So when doing your Christmas shopping this year, remember to buy local wherever possible.

“Use their click-and-collect services. Stop in or takeaway coffee or lunch. And help them further by following the Covid-safe guidelines such as facemasks, sanitiser and distancing.”

The #ShopSafeCraven campaign has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Reopening High Streets Safely scheme.

It is designed to highlight the work being carried out by businesses and the local authorities to make communities Covid-safe, and to explain what the latest government advice means for Craven.

It also promotes the role residents and visitors can play in helping stop the spread of the virus.

Clear signage has been put up in public areas around the towns reminding people of the importance of respecting social distancing guidelines. Pedestrian-friendly routes have been waymarked in Skipton, directing people on the safest ways around the town, along with new bollard sleeves in Grassington, hand sanitiser stations, and planters in Ingleton, Bentham, Settle and Cross Hills.

Signage in all High Streets is being increased to reinforce the social distancing message. New resources on the Craven District Council website outline the current government guidelines and interpret them specifically for the local area.

Under the current national restrictions, Craven is in Tier 2, meaning shops are open, but restrictions apply for certain hospitality services. Residents and business owners can visit www.cravendc.gov.uk/coronavirus for up to date information on restrictions and what they mean locally.

Businesses can also visit the website to add their details to the #ShopSafeCraven page.