Rutland is open for business as Rutland County Council, working with Uppingham and Oakham Town Councils, prepares to welcome residents back to shops and businesses.

Non-essential retailers, like clothing stores, charity shops, and retail art galleries are able to reopen in England from Monday 15 June, as long as social distancing measures are put in place.

A range of temporary measures are being implemented in Oakham and Uppingham to ensure the safety of shoppers and staff as people are welcomed back to the high streets.

Measures put forward by Town Councils and being supported by Rutland County Council include:

· Installing signs and floor markings reminding people to social distance

· To accommodate the return of shopping to the region, free parking will be available for those travelling by car

Installing additional bike racks in Uppingham

Plans are also being finalised for a temporary one-way system for traffic on High Street Oakham. This will allow footways to be widened so that social distancing can be maintained during busy periods.

An implementation date for the one way system will be confirmed shortly. Once in place, on street parking will still be available along Oakham High Street.

Businesses are responsible for ensuring social distancing measures are applied within their own premises and should display a notice to show they have followed Government guidance.

Leader of Rutland County Council, Cllr Oliver Hemsley said: "Lockdown has been tremendously tough for everyone and we're extremely grateful to our local businesses for helping to support the community during this time.

"It's testament to everyone pulling together that it's now safe enough to reopen our high streets, with stores across the region ready to welcome shoppers back. We urge residents to shop locally whenever they can. It's time to restart Rutland's economy."

Rutland received funding of £35,600 to support its high street re-opening programme to focus on the safety of residents and tourists, as well as workers.

There are stringent rules on how the funding must be spent and guidance from Government has been provided on the implementation of social distancing measures.

Cllr Lucy Stephenson is Rutland County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, Highways, Transportation & Road Safety.

She explained: "Things will be a little different at first, with some temporary measures in place to ensure safe shopping for all parties. It's vital we all do our bit to follow the rules, protect ourselves and each other. We'll be monitoring the situation closely and if guidelines aren't being followed, we'll step in and take action."

The latest Government guidance on going to the shops states you must only visit shops with people you live with and you should practice social distancing from other people at all times.

Working with town and parish councils, and local businesses, Rutland County Council has launched an 'Open for Business' campaign to welcome residents and visitors back to Rutland's towns.

A dedicated website has more information on what changes to expect, along with details of each business' opening hours and what they are doing to ensure safe reopening.

Visit www.rutlandwelcomesyou.co.uk to plan your visit.

Oakham one way system

A temporary one way system will be implemented on the High Street and Melton Road, Oakham on a date to be confirmed.

This will allow footpaths to be widened with barriers so that shoppers won't need to step out into traffic to obey social distancing rules.

Once in place, traffic will only be allowed to head west down the High Street and Melton Road, towards the train crossing. On street parking will still be allowed.

Traffic travelling in easterly direction towards Uppingham will be diverted left along Station Road just after the train crossing and then right onto Burley Road to access the High Street.

Station Road will remain two-way for all traffic. Access along Melton Road in an easterly direction will be maintained for buses needing to access Oakham Bus Station

Vehicles accessing the High Street from Gaol Street, Church Street, New Street will be directed west with the flow of the one way system.