Last week marked stage three in the roadmap out of lockdown. The lifting of restrictions allowed indoor hospitality including restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes to open with Covid-secure measures in place. This saw many more Sheffield businesses reopen and people able to get back to visiting some of their favourite attractions in the city. 

Sheffield City Council has been working to support the safe and successful reopening of the city. This includes producing a Reopening Guide for businesses – was sent to just under 8000 businesses directly and then also by partner, 8 on demand webinars directed at reopening businesses as part of our Roadmap to Recovery Series in preparation for Step 2 and Step and just under 8,000 businesses have been informed of the new £3k grants the week before so they could prepare to apply.  Interest has been high with over 200 applications in the first 24 hours 

In order to ensure the city can continue to be reopened safety, briefing sessions have been arranged to help explain the regulations as well as pro-active visits to ensure compliance and a refresh of street signage and Covid measures. Enforcement will continue to take place where Covid safety regulations are not followed.  

Councillor Terry Fox, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:  

“It’s great to see our city now reopening as we move through the roadmap out of lockdown. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in making this such a success so far. This includes all the businesses for the efforts they have made, the work undertaken by our teams putting in place the Covid secure measures and the teams who are on hand to offer advice and guidance to our businesses. 

“I would also like to thank the people of Sheffield for continuing to follow the guidance and helping us to reopen the city safely. I know how pleased people have been to be able to be able to get back out to some of their favourite places in the city and we want to continue to support this re-opening as we lead our city’s recovery.”  

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Development, Culture and Regeneration, said

“We’ve been working with businesses throughout the pandemic providing advice and support as well full access to the grants available. Last week marked another important step of the re-opening.  

“This is an important time for so many of our businesses who have been hit hard by the Covid restrictions and we are pleased to see so many people already giving them their support as we have reopened over recent weeks. We are determined to work with them to continue to provide the support that they need.”