The next phase of a regionwide campaign to help businesses re-open and recover following the easing of lockdown restrictions commenced this week.
Called 'Open for Business, Safely’, it is run by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is promoting the steps shops, cafés, gyms, beauty salons, transport providers and others have put in place to make their places safe for customers.
Newly re-elected West Mayor Andy Street visited the Black Country Living Museum to mark the second phase of the campaign which was launched last month.
It comes as phase three of the Government’s road map out of the coronavirus pandemic kicked into gear on Monday and meant hospitality venues could host guests indoors while cinemas could re-open and group fitness could recommence indoors.
Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards 2021
The Greater Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards are back for 2021
The event will be held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday November 11 and will celebrate apprentices, employers and training providers across 12 categories including our overall Apprentice of the Year.
The deadline to enter the awards is midday on Monday September 20 and sponsorship opportunities are also now available.
Please email richard.edwards@reachplc.com for details and follow the hashtag #GBAA21 for updates on social media.
For more information about our Apprenticeship Awards and other events
Mr Street said: "The coronavirus pandemic has hit our region particularly hard and left many of our businesses in a perilous position.
"Therefore, as restrictions ease and more venues are allowed to open fully, it is critical that we do what we can to help businesses bounce back quickly.
"By highlighting the steps they have taken to make themselves covid-secure, we hope it will help visitors, shoppers and workers feel more confident in returning to venues across the West Midlands.
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"This is particularly important for the hospitality and tourism sectors which have been extremely badly hit by the pandemic.
"The sectors, which are a very important part of our region’s economy, employ a high number of young people and women who currently face an uncertain future or may have already very sadly lost their jobs.
"It is therefore critical we get these sectors back to full strength asap to help protect people’s jobs and create new ones for those who have fallen out of work."
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, added: "This marks a significant step towards enabling businesses in the hospitality sector to resume playing a vital role in the success of the regional economy and the wellbeing of the people who live here.
"The chamber has been vigorous in its support of businesses in this sector as they now pick up the pieces following the devastating impact of the lockdown forced by the covid-19 pandemic."