NEWPORT Now Business Improvement District (BID) is providing free Covid Safe kits to independent city centre businesses to help them prepare for re-opening as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

The BID, which represents more than 600 businesses, has purchased a variety of equipment available free of charge to independent levy payers.

This includes thousands of floor vinyls and posters which promote safe distancing measures, hand sanitisers, and posters showing a business has taken all reasonable steps to be Covid Safe.

There are also a limited number of face visors and sneeze guards for shop counters.

BID manager Kevin Ward said: “We have been working hard throughout the pandemic crisis to provide as much help, support and advice as possible to our members.

“As a small business ourselves, we have had to cut costs and reduce some of our in-person services due to a combination of reduced income and lockdown restrictions.

“With Welsh Government advising non-essential retailers to prepare for re-opening from June 22, now is the time for us to provide practical help.

“The equipment we have purchased will help our independent members to re-open as safely as possible and to give their returning customers confidence they have taken all reasonable steps to be Covid Safe.”

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Further information on equipment available can be found at newportnow.co.uk/en/news/covid-safe-kits-available-free-to-independents/

The BID’s office at the Riverfront Theatre on Kingsway has been set up as a social-distancing collection centre for the equipment.

To place an order and book a collection slot, email kevin@kevinwardmedia.com

The BID’s board of directors, all of whom either own or run city centre businesses, decided to restrict distribution of the free equipment to independent businesses as most national chains will benefit from their own group purchasing arrangements, and require their own branding on materials.

The only criteria for independent BID members to qualify for the free Covid Safe kits is they must have paid the BID levy for the 2020-21 financial year.