Support packs on offer

Bondholders Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are offering recovery starter packs to help local businesses re-open safely.

The pack includes social distancing floor graphics and tape, washable face coverings, hand sanitiser, as well as a series of posters and window vinyls advising on COVID-19 prevention measures, and is available to businesses who pay a BID levy.

The BIDs have also circulated information about what businesses should be considering ahead of opening which, for non-essential retail, is currently earmarked for Monday 15th June.

Martin Langsdale, chair of the Cathedral Quarter Board explained: “The response to the recovery starter packs has been very encouraging with around 50 businesses requesting them so far.

“We have such a diverse mix of businesses in the Cathedral Quarter so the easing of lockdown restrictions will be staggered over the coming weeks so momentum will gather pace as the next few weeks unfold.”

During the lockdown, the BIDs have played a key role, with Rangers checking business premises on a daily basis, liaising with the authorities and reporting any issues to businesses, sending out business support guides to business owners and assisting with funding applications. Their social media channels have shared the latest information and guidance to keep the public informed of how business are still trading.

Helen Wathall, chair of the St Peters Quarter Board said: “Throughout the past weeks, the BID has focused on supporting our local businesses in whatever way we can. The team continues to have good engagement with businesses and receives a number of calls a day asking for advice and guidance on a range of issues.

“Moving out of lockdown will present many new challenges for businesses and we hope that this will ease some of the pressure – leaving businesses to scrutinise every aspect of their operations to keep staff and customers safe.”

To request a COVID-19 business recovery starter pack, businesses should email Cathedral Quarter BID at enquiries@derbycathedralquarter.co.uk or St Peters Quarter BID at enquiries@stpetersquarter.co.uk, stating their business name and address and providing contact details.