Summary of Earlier Business Forums
Posted on Sat 1st Aug at 1:15pm
Business Forum - 20th July 2020
Thank you for attending Monday's SCT Business Forum via Zoom.
SCT
Committee member Andrew Evans gave us an insight from UKHospitality
into how the Covid-19 outbreak has impacted hospitality and what the
industry can do to recover.
Saundersfoot PCSO
Graham Kendall joined us to talk about the 'Operation Lion' scheme that
is being implemented over the summer season and answered queries
regarding potential anti-social behaviour due to consuming alcohol
outside licensed premises. For any concerns regarding mass gatherings
(with no social distancing) anti-social behaviour and non-emergency
situations we were advised to phone 101 (and dial 999 if you see any
crime being committed or anyone in immediate danger).
Cllr
Phil Baker gave an update on 'Cafe Culture' which is due to start this
weekend. The signs announcing the temporary reuse of the parking bays
along the Strand and Cambrian Terrace were put up on Tuesday.
Saundersfoot
Community Councillor Chairman Neil Sefton raised concerns regarding
social distancing complications with the queues for the Ice cream vendor
situated at the top of the beach slipway. Cllr Phil Baker is
investigating.
Rita Gibson from the Chemist Inn
brought up her concerns relating to another licensed premises in the
village who she felt were not adhering to the government Covid-19
guidelines. Rita wanted to know what could be done to ensure all
licensed premises are operating in accordance with the new safety
regulations. Cllr Phil Baker has been made aware and will investigate.
The
Visitor Team members have been a positive addition to the village and
have been well received by local residents and visitors alike.
We
are hoping to be joined again by another member of Pembrokeshire County
County and a local PCSO. Our main topic for conversation will
concentrate on the hospitality sector, updates and feedback from the
Cafe Culture and any questions you may have relating to reopening,
safety procedures and best preactice for your business.
We
understand many owners are busy running businesses, especially now the
visitor economy has increased in the village and we encourage you to
attend if you can. You are welcome to 'drop in' anytime between 7:00pm
and 8:00pm with any feedback you would like to offer or any questions
we might be able to help with. Alternatively, please email us on
saundersfootchamber@gmail.com with any queries and feedback prior to the forum.
Business Forum - 13th July
We were pleased to announce the introduction of Tourism Ambassadors to the village.
Two Visitor Team members will be available to assist the
public every day throughout the Summer period. Their role will be to
enhance the visitor experience to Saundersfoot:-
- signpost visitors to
local services and facilities
- offer advice on beach safety,
- car parking locations,
- dog friendly areas of the village
- general
questions visitors may have
- monitoring the public
bins and hand sanitiser stations
- act as a reminder to the public
about keeping socially distant.
The Visitor Team members will be easily
recognisable by their distinctive pink hi-viz vests.
The
'Welcome to Saundersfoot" leaflet has been a useful aid to communicate
the safety procedures the village has adopted in order to make everyone
Covid-19 aware.
We will be printing A5 versions for Saundersfoot
businesses to distribute in their premises, for those who wish to do so,
and our Visitor Team members will be handing them out to the public as they walk around the village.
We intend to continue with
the Business Forum for another few weeks and will be looking to invite
members of public and government bodies who may be able to help with any
questions you may have relating to legislations and guidelines
surrounding reopening your business.
We are aware that business owners
will start becoming busier and may struggle to attend the forum but we
encourage you all to attend if you can or continue to email your
questions through to us and we will be happy to help.
Feedback from 2nd Business Forum 6th July 2020
Thank you once again for
attending our second business forum last night. We hope you are finding
it a useful information and communication tool. Thank you for all your
feedback and suggestions.
We were pleased to
welcome Food Safety Officer for Pembrokeshire County Council, Glenda
Thomas, to the forum who answered lots of questions and offered
invaluable advice relating to best procedures in a kitchen environment
to ensure being fully Covid 19 aware in the workplace.
We
have started the ball rolling with organising a coordinated weekly
beach clean. Contact has been made through 'Surfers Against Sewerage'
and Keep Wales Tidy and we will be looking for volunteers and leaders to
help implement our scheme. If you can help or know anyone interested,
please let us know.
Cllr Phil Baker has
submitted an expression of interest for a cafe culture in Saundersfoot
for The Strand and Cambrian Terrace which will enable cafes to use the
parking bays as additional outdoor seating. Concerns were raised
regarding crowd control on the streets. A meeting is being held today
(Tuesday) with the Manager of Street Care in PCC. We will update you on
the outcome in due course.
Chamber will be
compiling a 'Welcome to Saundersfoot' Public Information leaflet/sheet
that can be used by all businesses in Saundersfoot to inform/advise
visitors both during and if possible before their stay.
Visitors
will enjoy their time here if they know not only what services will be
available but also if they are aware of and understand what will be
expected of them.
Please send us your ideas and suggestions as to what you would like to see included in this proposed leaflet.
We will endeavour to get a digital version for you to download and print out or send to your customers by the end of this week.
It
would be helpful if you would make sure you update your own business
website and social media pages with relevant information on opening
times and any changes you have made to normal operating procedures as we
will be directing visitors to individual business sites via our
www.visitsaundersfootbay.com website and Facebook page.
Risk
assessments were also a topic of discussion at the forum. Rita Gibson
at The Old Chemist Inn on the Strand has been doing a lot of research
and collating information and guidelines for her own business and has
sent an open invitation to anyone who would like any help with their
risk assessment. Both the Harbwr Bar and The Boat House were keen to
take her up on her offer.
Highlights from 1st Forum
Over 30 business owners took part
There
were many offers of help and links to relevant information. We have
attached those mentioned in the forum last night and hope you will find
them useful and beneficial to your business.
Please find below the link to the free CPL Learning Covid 19
course.
Rita
also mentioned her procedure of taking customers temperatures before
allowing them into her establishment. We have included a link as an
example to the type of thermometer Rita has purchased.
Click here
Is your business good to go in Wales?
“We’re
Good To Go” is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and
hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry
COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness
and aid social distancing.
Apply now to confirm your business has taken the necessary measures and is operating in line with the Government guidelines and Public Health guidance (relating to Welsh businesses) clearly set out in your COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
Upon successful completion of the application, you will be sent a
secure link to download your certificate, mark and a toolkit with
practical steps for telling your customers that your business is Good to Go.
The application will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and
you need to make sure you have read the relevant Government and Public
Health guidance for your country before you begin. Please also make sure
you have read the Terms & Conditions.
For more information on reopening your business, including links to sector specific guidance, please visit the Business Advice Hub. If you have any further questions, please call our team on 0345 873 8050.
https://goodtogo.visitbritain.com/your-business-good-to-go-wales
Cllr
Phil Baker has sent us information from Pembrokeshire County Council on
being Covid 19 Aware for Retailers. (see attached) & Food Delivery
and Takeaway Advice (see attached)
30th March 2020
and links to the latest official information relating to the COVID-19
virus. You may find this particularly useful if you are searching for
guidance on a variety of topics such as business grants, benefits,
housing, employment etc