Life After Lockdown III

Government Road Map

A link to the governments “Spring Response”  and road map out of lockdown can be found here

Before taking each step the latest data will be reviewed against the impact of the previous step against the following for steps.

• The vaccine deployment program deploys successfully
• Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those that are vaccinated.
• Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unstainable pressure on the NHS.
• Our assessments of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern.

April 12th Onwards
We are arranging for bunting to be erected in the town centre in time for when non essential shops/businesses and hospitality re-open.  As mentioned, previously we are finalising a series of posters to be placed in the town centre.  The key message is we share a collective responsibility to keep Knutsford safe in the key 10 week period leading up to June 21st, when potentially all restrictions will cease. We are also arranging a photographer for re-opening week.

Bexy Boo Poster 

At the time of writing we are working with local artist Bexy Boo (Bex Hassett) to produce and sell two ‘shop local’ posters (one is shown right) at certain locations in the town.  At Bex’s request all the profits raised by this will go to We Are Knutsford (the Covid-19 community group) to aid any town centre recovery initiatives. Every time these posters have been posted on social media they have proved very popular with requests to buy them.

Cuckoo in the Nest

As mentioned in December this was a popular ‘event/experience’ that used to take place before May Day in the sixties (I believe!). Shops place products from another shop in their shop window and people have to guess what shop the products are from.  It will be a safe and Covid-19 friendly event that promotes all participating businesses as well as raising awareness.  We are aiming to produce an entry form with prizes for the first correct answer pulled out of the hat.  It would be great to get this organised as soon as possible after the 12th so if you wish to take part please let me know ASAP so I can coordinate the product placements.

Town wide Loyalty Scheme

A business card size loyalty card which can be stamped or signed by yourself  – one stamp only after any purchase £10 or over. Once a customer has collected 10 stamps they will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of Knutsford vouchers (to be drawn quarterly).  Therefore, this scheme would work alongside any shop scheme.  We would have a collection point for completed stamps or customers can hand them into participating shops for collection by myself or colleagues later.  If you would like to take part, feel free to let me know now.

Events

Following the release of the government’s road map out of lockdown, we are making plans for our events to return as restrictions ease within the guidelines. Our first event we are planning is Knutsford Music Festival which will be held across a long weekend in the summer. The festival will be scaled back but will still feature festival favourites including Folk at the Theatre presented by BBC Radio 2 host Mark Radcliffe and our free outdoor session on the Moor, and music will once again fill the streets of Knutsford! Other popular events including our Pumpkin Path and Christmas events will return later in the year. We are looking to introduce a few new events this year (including an Art trail and Knutsfordian III photography exhibition) which will be confirmed soon via our social media pages and local press. Anyone with enquiries regarding our events programme can contact alex.brown@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk for more information.

In brief:

We are still promoting (and this will increase after 12th April) #AdoptaKnutsfordShop, so please get involved, and the Behind The Door Live zooms will continue until the 12th.  If you wish to take part in one please let me know.  When we re-open more we are planning on filming more videos in the town centre and in your premises. The first issue of the town centre newsletter (Town Centre Talk) was distributed in February with the next issue timed to coincide with 12th April.  The newsletter is aimed at those who are not users of social media and is available online as well as being distributed to retirement homes such as Mere Court and emailed to community groups. We hope to drop some off to participating shops too – so if you would like to have some please let me know.

Sandra Curties
Knutsford Town Council