The British Independent Retailers Association – umbrella group of the Pet Product Retail Association – has welcomed a new £50m boost to help local authorities prepare high streets for reopening.
High Streets Minister Simon Clarke announced the fund for councils to help their local high streets get safely back to business on Tuesday.
The Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help local authorities in England introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start economies, get people back to work and customers back to the shops.
It will also support a range of practical safety measures including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers. This will help get businesses to trade safely, not only in high streets and town and city centres, but also in other public spaces such as beachfronts and promenades.
The boost follows Boris Johnson’s announcement that all non-essential retailers would be able to reopen on June 15. As ‘key retailers’, pet shops have remained opened throughout lockdown.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said: “We are pleased about this as it is an issue we consistently raised with the Government – if shops are re-opening, the high street also has to be ready.
“Now we would like to see local authorities work with independent retailers to ensure the money is spent well.”
