COVID-19 has seen over an 80% reduction in high street footfall in the last two months and as businesses slowly reopen it is essential that local businesses work in close partnership with their local authority to protect staff, customers and keep the economy moving.
Whilst we welcome the announcement of over £250,000 available to support economic the recovery in Canterbury we are very aware that is not a large sum and will only be shared equitably if each of our town centres come forward with solid proposals for future investment. Whitstable needs a plan.
With this in mind Gorrell councillors have written to Canterbury Council with a series of practical measures they think will immediately help. This investment is key to businesses remaining open and the council being able to rely on those business rates for next year. The plan is in addition to the plans they have submitted to Kent County Council to improve traffic flow.
Whilst the COVID Emergency Committee has put aside money for improving WIFI in Canterbury High Street and is offering discounts on parking in Canterbury City Centre – the plans for Whitstable are scant more than street cleaning and some new signage.
The Whitstable councillors plan includes:
