The next stage of the #LoveCroydonShopLocal campaign will be launching over the coming months to support our high streets. This builds on the social distancing measures and signage rolled out in the initial emergency response phase, and the distribution of more than £50 million pounds of government grants to small businesses. There is also a weekly Covid-19 Business newsletter (sign up here).
The #LoveCroydonShopLocal campaign has been promoted through the council’s online channels, showcasing our businesses who are innovating and managing safety to enable them to succeed through the pandemic. During December and January colourful, eye-catching #LoveCroydonShopLocal banners will be installed in and around our high streets across the borough. Three Information Officers are being recruited who will be visiting our high streets over the next 3 months with promotional materials, covid-secure advice and sign-posting to business support.
This work is being funded by the Reopening High Streets Safely (RHSS) fund which was launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on 29 May 2020, sharing a £50m pot of funding from the European Regional Development Fund between local authorities across England. The rules for spending the grant are strict, all activity must be covid safety focused and all spending must be completed by the end of this financial year.
Croydon’s grant agreement was signed on 16 November and approved by the Spending Control Panel on 30 November. We are therefore now in a position to rollout some long-lasting materials with safety messaging, to brighten up our high streets and remind people to shop local.
A second phase of promotion will be rolled out early next year and we would love to get your feedback on the materials so that we can make the most of the remaining RHSS budget and best support our high streets. Please contact us with your comments and suggestions at [email protected].
