The public toilets in Hinckley town centre will reopen next week along with many non-essential retailers, as the coronavirus lockdown eases.
Only two people will be permitted inside at a time with the facility to be deep cleaned every 30 minutes.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has also invested in new infection control-friendly features including sensor-activated taps to reduce contact points at the Station Road lavatories.
The toilets will reopen on June 15, the same date that non-essential shops are allowed to reopen, including those selling clothes, furniture, shoes and toys.
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The busy pavement area along Station Road, which connects The Crescent shopping complex and Castle Street, will be temporarily widened into the short stay parking bays to help pedestrians social distance as they pass each other.
The council and Hinckley BID have been working behind the scenes to get local businesses ready to reopen and to make sure Hinckley and other town centres in the borough are safe for shoppers and traders.
Floor markings have been stencilled outside shops to mark safe queuing areas and to help people social distance.
In Hinckley, ‘High Street helper’ stewards will be on hand daily to help people and monitor the situation.
Hand sanitising stations will also be freely available for public use.
Alternative 30-minute free parking bays are available nearby on St Mary’s Road, Market Place and Regent Street as well as on Upper Castle Street.
Shoppers can also park for free after 3pm every day in Trinity East (on Rugby Road opposite Domino’s), Castle (the former Co-op car park off Hill Street) and Lower Bond Street (opposite the Atkins building).
St Mary’s Road and Church Walk car park are also free after 3pm on Saturdays only. Additionally, parking is free in all council car parks on Sundays and bank holidays.
Stuart Bray, leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: “We are all keen to return to normality and this is a very welcome step, but we know it is critical that we all maintain social distancing while doing so for the sake of everyone’s safety and peace of mind.
“Redesigning the town centre into a Covid-19 secure shopping area at a time when rules are constantly changing has been a challenge for us all, but we must continue to adapt and be flexible in order to ensure the safety and vitality of our residents and businesses.
More Hinckley news
“I’d urge visitors to please support our local businesses, but to do so safely by following the guidance.”
Hinckley Market is set to fully reopen over the next few weeks, with some vendors to change location so that customers can comply with social distancing.
The market will also be spread over a larger area, so that there is enough space between each stall.
The market is open Friday, Saturday and Monday.
A full list of the stalls which will be returning is available here.
