Photo © Stephen McKay (cc-by-sa/2.0)
A new report has been released which has asked local Welsh authorities and the Welsh Government to open up public areas. This is in order for small businesses such as shops, cafes and pubs to re-open whilst still complying with the rules on social distancing.
The FSB (Federation of Small Businesses Wales) report was named ‘Open for Business: Repurposing Public Spaces for Economic Recovery’. This looks at available solutions which would help smaller businesses in Wales to reopen using outdoor public spaces such as Bangor High Street. This may be crucial for them to ease out of lockdown, and avoid even more business closures.
Many businesses currently fear that they may never be able to reopen or have enough space to open whilst the social distancing rules are in place because of the size of their premises or the type of business they are.
The report asks for use of tables and chairs from surrounding cafes and possibly pubs in the pedestrianised areas, and potentially even stalls and gazebos for shops to sell goods from. This would mean that the current licensing and planning laws in place would need to be lifted to allow this.
Wrexham Centre
The Welsh weather has been a problem in mind, but other countries which have to endure a colder climate have begun adapting to the new outdoor and social distancing way of life, so we must be able to find a solution to drive the economy in the right direction.
The suggested locations in North Wales include Bangor High Street, Llandudno’s promenade, Caernarfon’s Maes, and the town centre of Wrexham.
Llandudno’s Promenade
The FSB Wales Policy Chair Ben Francis said that the report calls for a new way of thinking from the Welsh Government and the local authorities, as well as community groups. He points out that we are currently experiencing a time that is requiring us to think differently so we should be challenging the norm.
“The decisions that are made in the coming weeks are critical, and will be the difference between a firms’ ability to survive, or not. We hope that we can work with Welsh Government and local authority leaders across Wales to give local businesses the best possible chance and help our communities to re-grow. “
Caernarfon’s Y Maes
Ben Francis then goes on to urge the Welsh Government to work alongside the local authorities to get the ball rolling and take action on the planning regulations where needed.
The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn, commented on the report from the FSB saying “Supporting our town centres as they recover from the effects of the pandemic is a central element of our economic recovery”.
