The Northwich Business Improvement District (BID) is continuing to work closely with businesses in the town to help them move forward following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Over the coming weeks the BID team will be holding zoom meetings with a range of retailers, shop owners and organisations to gauge how they have been getting on since being allowed to reopen over the summer.

This will allow the Northwich BID to identify potential areas that businesses need support in and provide data to look at creating a sustainable plan for Northwich town centre in the future.

So far this spring and summer Northwich BID has provided in-depth guidance, advice and assistance to businesses on a range of issues relating to Coronavirus.

This has included communicating information on government grants and local funding available to businesses, promoting products and services through Social Media, PR and marketing campaigns and providing weekly updates via digital newsletters.

Key messages surrounding social distancing and being patient and respectful while shopping have been distributed too, while a virtual map has also been created on the Visit Northwich website.

This allows potential visitors to see which businesses are located in the town and how to find them in person and online, as well as seeing their current opening hours.

All of this is part of the Northwich BID’s plan to help businesses bounce back and to create an environment that sees more and more people returning to the high street, as Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough has explained.

“It’s been brilliant to see businesses reopening all over the town but it’s crucial that we find out how they are getting on to see if they need help and support in particular areas.

“This will then allow us to create tailored solutions and work with them to give them the best possible chance of responding positively following the impacts of COVID-19.

“Slowly but surely people are returning to the high street and to our businesses but we need to work hard to create an environment that works for businesses, consumers and visitors in this new normal that we’re all adapting too.”