Craven District Council has launched a campaign to help businesses throughout the district survive and recover from the economic effects of COVID19.

The Reopening High Street Safely (RHSS) project will help residents and visitors to feel safe in Craven, when lockdown restrictions lift and more businesses re-open.

Focusing on the key shopping areas of Skipton, Cross Hills, Bentham, Grassington, Settle and Ingleton, the project will highlight the work being carried out by businesses and the local authorities to make communities Covid-safe. It will also explain what the latest government advice means for Craven, and promote the role residents and visitors play in helping stop the spread of the virus.

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

Richard Foster said: “We are fortunate to have a wealth of brilliant businesses in our communities. But we know full well that this has been a very difficult time for the local economy.

“We’re pleased to have received the Reopening High Street Safely funding, which will help us communicate all the positive work being carried out by businesses and the local authority.

“At the moment, national restrictions mean people are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, and many businesses are temporarily closed.

“However, many of our local businesses are offering online shopping and click and collect services, which means you can still support Craven companies. And when these national restrictions are lifted, we want to encourage people to shop locally in the knowledge that it’s safe to do so.”

Under the current national restrictions, essential shops are still open but non-essential retail is closed, and hospitality businesses are closed except for takeaway services. The national lockdown is currently scheduled to apply until December 2.

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.

Residents and business owners can visit www.cravendc.gov.uk/coronavirus for up to date information on restrictions and what they mean locally.

A social media campaign urging people to share information and positive experiences will be launched with the hashtags #ShopSafeCraven, #EatSafeCraven, #DrinkSafeCraven and #StaySafeCraven.

Business owners and the public are invited to help share the message that Craven is tackling COVID19 responsibly, with parish councils, business support groups and other organisations also being provided with information and resources to share with their communities.

Skipton BID is also running a Christmas campaign “All Things Bright and Beautiful” aimed at providing a safe and secure environment in the town, while still promoting the festive spirit. Vacant shop windows have been painted and a Robin Scavenger Hunt competition will run throughout December.