With the UK’s pubs and restaurants slowly opening, businesses and town centres are coming up with innovative ways of ensuring social distancing measures can be adhered to whilst retaining a relaxed and attractive atmosphere for visitors.
The Welcome Back Fund is providing councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic. This funding builds on the £50 million Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses.
The fund will allow local authorities in England to put in place additional measures to create and promote a safe environment for local trade and tourism, particularly in high streets as their economies reopen.
The Welcome Back Fund can be used by local authorities to:
- Boost the look & feel of high streets by investing in street planting and green spaces.
- Improve green spaces on high streets and in town centres by planting flowers.
- Install and refresh signage to encourage social distancing and safety.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of nature and flowers on emotional wellbeing and as people begin to venture out onto the high street and test out the new style dining and drinking experiences, boosting their morale is even more important.
Floral barriers provide natural gaps between outdoor diners and the pavement and create attractive zones in which to queue while customers are waiting to get in. They also make businesses stand out from others and create a pleasant atmosphere in the wider town centre. With the use of Plantscape’s customisable branded planter surrounds you are also able to create planters with your own safety messaging and branding which is available under the funding specification.
We have a range of products that meet the specified funding guidelines and can be included in your funding spend. We have also just launched a pollinator friendly range so you could use planters as safety measures as well as bringing more biodiversity into the area.
If you would like more information about the ranges and what the funding could be spent on contact the Plantscape team here.