Oakham Town Council has formed a working group to help support businesses in the town.

The move comes as lockdown restrictions are set to ease, with the town council saying it accepts that after such an unexpected and unprecedented year, re-opening won't be an easy task for many.

The council say that in line with its aim of improving the quality of life for residents and businesses it has formed a new working group to work with businesses and established partnerships in the town.

Coun Andy Burton, who chairs the new working group, said:"We held our first meeting of the group on the 23rd March and there was a high level of enthusiasm to try to find ways to help our local businesses come out of lockdown and continue to thrive.

"There are a high proportion of local independent shops, hotels and other small employers that have struggled during the pandemic and who have always been the lifeblood of the town. Our hope is they can continue to contribute to making Oakham a wonderful place to live, visit and work in."

The town council says the working group will not only talk to local businesses and partnerships, it will liaise with Rutland County Council and use networks like the Parish Forum committee to establish whether there are streams of funding that can be accessed by businesses.

The working group comprises 5 councillors who would love to hear from business owners about ways in which we may be able to help them.

A town council statement added: "Oakham Town Council are committed to doing all we can to help support local enterprise, particularly after a really difficult year."

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Oakham businessowners are asked to get in touch by emailing [email protected]