'The Harborough district is a welcoming and safe place to shop' - high street expert's view after visiting the town and speaking to shopkeepers

A high street expert spoke to shopkeepers as a high-powered task unit visited Market Harborough.

Mark Robinson, chairman of the High Streets Task Force, was joined by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien and Cllr Phil King, the leader of Harborough District Council.

They also chatted to retailers about how businesses are bouncing back after the coronavirus lockdown.

“It was also a chance to discuss some of the measures put in place by the council to ensure town centres could re-open safely,” said the council.

“The high-profile visit comes in the same week that Harborough District Council launched a Shop Local campaign encouraging shoppers back to our high streets.”

Mark Robinson said: “This was my first of many trips to Market Harborough to get a sense of how High Street Task Force support is being used or where more help is needed.

“As an attractive market town, Market Harborough has many advantages.

“But it was great to see the district council promoting best practice and not resting on their laurels to help the town thrive.”

He added: “It was really interesting to see how some businesses have adapted to the Covid-19 challenge and how others have very different experiences of initiatives such as the pedestrianisation of key streets.

“It was very clear that there is a great sense of community and that social distancing is being well observed, that Harborough district is a welcoming and safe place to shop, meet friends for lunch and start to get back to work.”

Harborough council has introduced measures in Lutterworth and Market Harborough town centres to help create a safe shopping environment.

‘Highstreet Helpers’ wearing high-visibility vests, public hand sanitiser stations and street markings showing people where to queue have all been brought in.

Some of the measures were funded by the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund to help get people back to work and customers back to shops.

Cllr King said: “We are very pleased that’s Mark taking the time to visit our district.

“I’d like to thank all those who were available to talk to us so we could hear more from about the challenges faced in the re-opening of the high streets and where we can focus our efforts to help.”

The High Streets Task Force was launched by the Government in 2019 as part of its ‘Plan for the High Street’ and in response to recommendations of an expert panel on the high street.

It aims to share information, advice, training, knowledge and data – helping people to make a positive difference to communities across England.