Planning is underway at Rutland County Council to support the safe reopening of Rutland's high streets, following the Prime Minister's announcement that non-essential retail can open from June 15 2020.

The Council has been notified by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that it will receive £35,627 of funding to support the re-opening of our High Streets, while ensuring they are safe for residents and tourists to visit.

Guidance has also been provided to the Council to support preparations and implement social distancing measures on the high streets, in shops and workplaces.

Rutland County Council is now reviewing the guidance and communicating with Oakham and Uppingham Town Councils to develop plans and identify what funding is required.

Councillor Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, comments: "We are delighted that we are going to be able to reopen our high streets in the coming weeks.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on our retailers, and it is imperative that they have the opportunity re-establish themselves safely. But we must do this safely and in such a way as to ensure both retailers, their customers, pedestrians, and road users stay safe.

"The government funding will certainly enable us to start to reinvigorate our high streets and help support our towns in implementing the measures needed that protect traders and visitors accordingly."

Nationally, some £50 million of funding for this was announced at the weekend by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke.

To prepare for the reopening of non-essential retail when the scientific advice allows, the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund will help councils in England introduce a range of safety measures in a move to kick-start local 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 get ready for when they can begin trading safely, not only in high streets and town and city centres, but also in other public spaces like beach fronts and promenades.

Councils will also be able to use this money to develop local marketing campaigns to explain the changes to the public and reassure them that their high streets and other commercial areas are safe.

It is the government's ambition to reopen non-essential retail in a phased way from June 1, subject to the scientific advice. The government will set out further detail on how and when these can reopen safely shortly.

High streets are critical to the economic recovery of our towns and cities and this new fund builds on longer-term funds already in place to support their revival and boost their economic fortunes including the Future High Streets and Towns Funds.

High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP said: "As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.

"Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this government.

"Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

"That's why we are providing an extra £50 million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again."

The £50 million funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that the government is making available to councils to support businesses to re-open safely following guidance published on May 13 to help adapt urban centres and green spaces for social distancing during the pandemic.

The money will be allocated to councils on a per capita basis and will be ready to spend from June 1, 2020.

The Fund is in addition to the £3.2 billion package of support announced for councils to help them deal with the immediate pressures they have said they are facing.

The High Street Task Force, backed by government and run by the Institute for Place Management, has already started delivering support for the coronavirus recovery effort and is aligning its work to provide expert advice, training and long-term planning and guidance to councils, business and community leaders.