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Preparations for the reopening of local shops, cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants are underway in Epping High Street.
Reopening for businesses
Leader of the Council Cllr Chris Whitbread said:
Epping Forest District is reopening for businesses. Epping is leading the way and similar work is being planned for our other town centres, it’s all about protecting people and giving our residents the confidence to return to our high streets.
Wider pavements and cheaper parking
Wider pavements and cheaper parking are at the heart of the push to boost the footfall on the town’s main shopping street which has suffered from the 13-week Covid-19 Lockdown.
Temporary measures to widen the footpath at the top of Station Road and along the high street coupled with extra, cheaper parking in our car parks are geared to making things easier for pedestrians, parents with pushchairs and wheelchair users and helping them to return safely to the high street.
Just 16 of the 80 parking bays in the high street will temporarily be removed to support social distancing. These temporary measures are being paid for through a bid for Government funds in a partnership with Essex County Council.
Cheaper parking
Leader of the Council Cllr Chris Whitbread said:
Epping has always had a vibrant mix of shops, cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants all of which have suffered the effects of Covid-19, as a Council we are committed to doing everything in our power to encourage people back onto our high street, reviving its vibrancy.
Although we are removing a few high street parking spaces to meet the Government’s social distancing guidelines, and to protect local people from the spread of Covid, we are compensating by offering cheaper parking – 20p for two and a half hours. And on Mondays we are freeing up spaces in Cottis Lane and Bakers Lane car parks by encouraging market traders to park commercial vehicles in our Civic Office car park.
Have your say
If you’d like to tell us your concerns/experience of how these measures work when you’re out and about in the town, please visit our Commonplace platform where you can pinpoint your concerns on a map and leave a comment.
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