Reigate reopens – a guide to the easing of restrictions

With the government’s roadmap out of lockdown giving clear direction to how and when different parts of the economy can begin to reopen, we are confident that over the coming months we will see #ReigateBackInBusiness. Below is a round up of what will change on 12th April, 17th May and 21st June according to the latest Government guidelines. You can search by sector using the following link to discover many of our fantastic local businesses as they prepare to reopen their doors.


12th April

The easing of restrictions on the 12th April marks Step 2 of the government’s roadmap. The overall aim on this date is to reopen the indoor premises of many businesses which have been closed for quite some time, as well as most outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues.

The following businesses and activities will be permitted to reopen on Monday 12th April:

  • Non-essential retail, such as clothing and department stores
  • Personal care premises, such as barbers, hairdressers and nail salons
  • Outdoor hospitality, such as pub gardens and restaurants offering al fresco dining
  • Public buildings, such as libraries and community centres
  • Indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms and indoor sport courts (providing they are used alone or with members of the same household)
  • Outdoor attractions, such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas
  • Self-contained accommodation, such as campsites and holiday lets (providing indoor facilities are not shared with other households)

Changes to the rules around events from 12th April are as follows:

  • Funerals can continue with up to 30 people in attendance
  • The number of people allowed to be present at a wedding, wedding reception or commemorative event will rise to 15


17th May

Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown gets in motion on Monday 17th May. This step will ease the limits on seeing family and friends, with the government hoping to allow the public to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances. It is also positioned to open the majority of businesses in sectors which are considered the highest risk.

Here is an overview of what will open as part of Step 3:

  • Indoor hospitality, such as restaurants and pubs (providing guests order, eat and drink while seated)
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as cinemas and children’s play centres
  • Indoor accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs
  • Indoor adult group sports and exercise classes
  • Performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 or half-full – whichever is a lower total
  • Performances and sporting events in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people of half-full – whichever is a lower total. In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spread out, a capacity of up to 10,000 will be allowed, or a quarter-full – whichever is a lower total.

 

The following changes to events will be made on 17th May:

  • Weddings, wedding receptions, funerals and wakes will be able to have up to 30 people in attendance. This will also apply to other significant life events such as christenings and bar mitzvahs.


21st June

The 4th and final step of the roadmap takes places on Monday June 21st. Here the government aims to remove all limits on social contact and reopen the remaining higher-risk premises, such as nightclubs and bars where table service and social distancing is not possible. The restrictions on large events and performances laid out in Step 3 will also be eased (subject to results gathered by the Events Research Programme which will test the outcome of pilot events).

 

With the hope that all of our wonderful local companies can open up again over the coming months and we can begin to get back to socialising with friends and family, we should all carry on following safety guidelines and keep an eye on the GOVUK website  as there is a possibility that the easing of restrictions may change.

 

Reigate shoppers can win a treasure trove of prizes as high-street retailers join forces to “UnLock Reigate”

Reigate’s high-street retailers have organised an event to welcome their local shoppers back to Reigate after a long period of lockdown. The event will commence on 12th April when non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen their doors to the public.

Over 25 shops taking part have organised a clue finding treasure hunt for individuals, couples, friends or families to take part in and each have donated prizes towards a grand prize draw with £100’s worth of prizes donated by each retailer. The draw will take place online after the first week this year where many of these shops will have been able to open their doors. There is also a cash prize for first place. Shoppers taking part in the treasure hunt will also be rewarded with many promotional offers, sales and discounts in some of the shops either throughout the week or on certain days.

Clues will be posted throughout the week (Monday 12th to Saturday 17th April) on social media via the Reigate Business Guild, We Love Reigate and each participating shop’s social media profiles. Entrants will need to head in to Reigate and visit some of the participating shops to find the answers to the clues.

Spencer Copping, Chairman from Reigate Business Guild says – “Reigate relies on a busy high street at its core and this last twelve months has seen one of the toughest years ever for high-street retailers. Harder still for the many Reigate shops regarded as non-essential during lockdown periods. The determination, compassion and team work that I’ve witnessed from all of Reigate’s retailers throughout this last year is incredible. In line with Government guidelines, local retailers have organised a fun way to attract people back to the High Street demonstrating how positive Reigate’s retailers still are – and that Reigate will always be a vital and vibrant shopping town”.

More information (including a list of participating shops and printable entry forms) can be found on at www.reigatebusinessguild.co.uk/treasure-hunt and its social media pages – and will also be shared on many of the participating retailer’s social media pages too.

List of participating retailers: See Poster
List of Prizes: See Poster

Organiser contact info: Jacqui Inwood ‘That Qwerky Place’ / Reigate Business Guild