Welcome Back Fund
South Derbyshire District Council has been allocated funding to assist with
reopening the high streets safely and to ‘build back better’ following the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
The grant has been awarded through the European Regional Development Fund and support will be subject to meeting their guidelines and funds spent by 31 March 2022.
Whilst the Fund cannot directly benefit individual high street retailers and businesses, it can be used to:
- provide temporary adaptations, signage, etc to promote the prevailing safety guidelines
- run publicity campaigns and prepare to hold events that will boost footfall and encourage people back into the high streets and thereby supporting local businesses
- improve green space on high streets and in town centres by planting flowers or removing graffiti
- promote a safe public environment for a local area’s visitor economy
The District Council is delivering a number of initiatives reflecting the above criteria between September 2021 and 31 March 2022, including the following:
Covid Marshalls
The Covid Marshall are engaging, explaining and encouraging best practice and compliance with national Covid-19 guidance amongst businesses and shoppers in South Derbyshire.
The service is supporting local businesses by providing free Covid-19 guidance compliance audits of their premises and support at events. They are also assisting the work of the public health services by providing weekly activity and compliance reports.
Events and Promotion
A promotional campaign and an events programme* are being delivered in partnership with local event organisers, the destination management organisation (Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire) and a specialist marketing company, to encourage people back into the town centres safely. The aim is that local businesses will benefit from an increase in footfall, customer visits and spend.
Support is being provided to assist event organisers, for example, with the hire of equipment and the promotion of their events.
* It is recognised that Covid-19 guidance may affect the delivery of events, but they are being planned to ensure that they can proceed safely and comply with any guidance that may be in place.
Town Centre Appearance
Small-scale enhancements to the town centres are being undertaken, such as: Painting and cleaning of street furniture; Removal of graffiti; and, Additional planting schemes.
The following projects are being supported in South Derbyshire:
- Covid Marshalls – September 2021 to March 2022
- Melbourne Festival – 18/19 September 2021
- Swad in Bloom Autumn Fayre and Garden Show – 19 September 2021
- Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Autumn Welcome Back Campaign – September to November 2021
- External Marketing and Communications – September 2021 to March 2022
- Seasonal Arts Trail in Swadlincote – Mid-November 2021 to Mid-January 2022
- Development of promotional map and guide for Melbourne town centre
- Reprint of Food and Drink Guide for Melbourne town centre
- Update and reprint of Swadlincote promotional map and guide
- Purchase of new equipment to support Swadlincote Market and local event organisers
- Creation of promotional video footage to support Swadlincote and Melbourne markets
- Creation of promotional video footage to support Swadlincote high street retailers
