Support for reopening the high street
Free parking will be on offer in all Malvern Hills District Council car parks on every Sunday during July.
Residents can also buy 2 hour permits which will allow them to park for two hours, in any four hour period, in any council owned car park. They cost just £25 and if people buy them during July and August, they will get 15 months for the price of 12.
They can be bought online at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/parking-and-streets
The offers are part of Malvern Hills District Council's Economic Recovery Plan, which is designed to support businesses reopening, and give visitors confidence that the district's centres are safe places to visit.
Visitors are urged to stay S.A.F.E by:
Sanitising and washing their hands regularly
Always being kind and considerate to others
Following social distancing guidelines
Enjoying our environment but making sure they take litter home with them or put it in the bins provided.
Signs have been put up to remind people about social distancing rules and public hand sanitiser points will shortly be installed around town centres, to help people maintain good hand hygiene. Most public toilets are open but Edith Walk, Malvern and Upton High Street are closed as social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Tourist Information Centres will be reopening in Malvern from Monday, 6 July and in Upton on Friday, 10 July. Tenbury TIC is expected to be open from Monday, 13 July.
Additional bike racks will also be installed to encourage cycling and discussions continue with Worcestershire County Council about the use of public highways to help food businesses serve diners.
There will also be promotional campaigns to promote the safety measures in place and give residents the confidence to get out and support their local traders, while encouraging visitors to explore the district.
This is on top of more than £17.5million paid out in support grants to small businesses – many in the hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors – and another £900,000 of discretionary grant funding currently being distributed.
Cllr Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "Traders have done a fantastic job of making sure their businesses are Covid-19 secure so they can reopen to customers. We're doing everything we can to support them.
"People should feel confident visiting our town and district centres and we ask visitors to follow the guidelines for everyone's safety and to be considerate to each other.
"The message from The Malverns is we're open for business, ready to welcome you, and we urge people to support their local traders during this challenging time."