SHOPS and businesses using pavements as extra floorspace is just one of the ideas under active consideration to get the economy safely going again in Worcestershire.
The suggestion has been put forward at County Hall as Worcestershire’s elected leaders grapple with keeping social distancing measures in place when businesses reopen.
Such a measure would be suitable for pedestrianised zones, wide footways and on boulevards, although County Councillors admit it would not be suitable for all shopping areas.
Councillor Alan Amos, cabinet member with responsibility for highways said: “We need to restore people’s freedom to go shopping again.
“We are discussing the practicalities of using pavements to increase floor space with all the appropriate bodies. Our first priority is people’s safety.
“We will continuing working through this idea and we will share with businesses when we have finalised all the arrangements.”
It follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that shops may be able to start trading again on June 15.
Such a move would be conditional on the progress in the fight against Covid-19 and death and infection rates from the virus falling to a safer level.
