We are looking forward to the re-opening of many more businesses in Malmesbury in the days and weeks ahead.
Local businesses have been working hard to make sure they can maintain a safe and welcoming experience for their customers and visitors when they enter their premises. To support this effort, Malmesbury Town Team and Malmesbury Town Council have been taking steps, in consultation with local businesses and with the support of Wiltshire Council, to make sure the special features of our town – in particular the fantastic number of independent businesses framed in our unique historic landscape – work together as well as possible for as long as physical distancing – currently 2 metres - is required. This has been a huge undertaking for all of us working to very short timescales. The changes are temporary and will be kept under review.
- The essential requirement in Malmesbury is to create wider pedestrian areas in the Upper High Street and Oxford Street, maintain room for queuing, and put in place signage and other features that help people feel safe and confident.
- This does mean removing parking from the Upper High Street and customers and visitors being directed to the Cross Hayes and Station Yard car park, the first two hours of parking is free at the Station Yard car park, normal rates apply at Cross Hayes. This space will then be dedicated for pedestrians.
- Statutory guidance signs are being installed by Wiltshire Council and we are installing Information Points at key positions for visitors. There will be one-way directions for pedestrians marked in the Upper High Street, Griffen Alley, Market Lane and Abbey Row.
- The taxi bays in the Market Cross will be made available to blue badge holders and be in addition to the current provision in the Lower High Street and Cross Hayes car park.
- There is provision for managed loading and unloading at three points in the Upper High Street and two points in Oxford Street.
- There may be queues outside some premises at peak times and we ask everyone to be mindful of queue arrangements.
None of us have experience of anything like the COVID 19 emergency and we have a shared interest in making sure Malmesbury is safe and welcoming for everyone. The changes we are all making to ensure we can conduct business and stay safe in the weeks ahead will also be of long-term benefit to Malmesbury’s place as a destination for shopping, leisure and tourism. Together we can make a difference.
Campbell Ritchie, Mayor, Malmesbury Town Council
Gordon McPherson, Spokesperson, Malmesbury Town Team
