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Budleigh traders launch campaign to attract more shoppers.

9 Oct 2023

A group of independent traders in Budleigh Salterton have started a campaign to attract more shoppers.
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Tech could drive more business for indie retailers this Christmas

9 Oct 2023

New research from Square and Clearpay indicates consumer confidence is rising, with 72% of consumers planning to spend more or the same this coming holiday season compared to last year,... Read more…

Full line-up announced for 2023 Bookshop Day this Saturday.

9 Oct 2023

Miriam Margolyes, Richard Armitage and Tomi Oyemakinde will be among the authors headlining events at this year’s Bookshop Day taking place this Saturday 14th October.
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Shop owners demand new offence for attacks on retail workers

4 Oct 2023

Shop owners have called on the Home Secretary to specifically outlaw attacks on retail workers.
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Are you up to speed with new ban on single-use plastics?

4 Oct 2023

From the start of October, bans and restrictions on single-use plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups and food containers, single-use balloon sticks and certain types of polystyrene cups and... Read more…

Cash still crucial for UK’s independent retailers

27 Sep 2023

A recent survey of retailers across the UK has shown that cash remains a crucial payment method for independent shops.
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Almost 2,000 more independent shops left empty in the first half of this year

27 Sep 2023

Almost 2,000 more British independent shops were left empty in the first half of this year, as small businesses struggled to cope with rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
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Indie shops in Liverpool create their own security network to combat shoplifters.

27 Sep 2023

An independent shop owner in Liverpool has said that independent shops in the city centre have taken to creating their own security WhatsApp group, warning each other of shoplifters in the... Read more…

Indie shops key to reversing fortunes of struggling high streets – university study finds.

27 Sep 2023

A focus on independent and ‘browse-only’ shops can help to reverse the fortunes of the struggling high street, according to an extensive study by Manchester Metropolitan University.
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Trade association welcomes Home Office ‘back-to-basics’ retail crime promise

13 Sep 2023

The recent pledge by police forces across England and Wales to pursue every lead that holds a reasonable chance of apprehending criminals and solving crimes has been welcomed by Bira, which... Read more…

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Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Retail The government has recently issued new guidance to help businesses in the UK to get back up and running and workplaces operating as safely as possible. The guidance is broken down according to type of workplace rather than sector, with eight sets of guidelines in total, so it is important that businesses understand that they may need to look at several publications according to their particular circumstances.

IRC member ACS has summarised the specific guidance for shops on working safely. The full Government guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches can be found here.

Thinking About Risk

  • All employers should carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment. You could use the Health and Safety Executive Shop Risk Assessment Tool.
  • As part of your assessment, consider whether any employees are especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
  • Share the results of your risk assessment with employees. Display this notice in shops to demonstrate compliance.

Who should go to work?

 

Social Distancing at Work

  • Follow social distancing guidelines to keep 2 metres about wherever possible.
  • Where social distancing guidelines cannot always be met, take mitigating actions where possible. For example, increasing handwashing and installing screens at tills.
  • You could also; introduce floor markings and signage, minimise contacts around transactions and use outside spaces for employee breaks to promote social distancing.

 

Managing Your Customers, Visitors and Contractors

  • To minimise contact you could limit the number of customers in store and implement queue management or one-way flow systems.
  • In-store cafes should continue to be closed unless selling food for consumption off the premises.
  • You should provide clear signage and guidance on social distancing and hygiene policies on arrival.

Cleaning the Workplace

  • Ensure air conditioning systems do not reduce ventilation levels during lower occupancy periods.
  • Frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly and workspaces at the end of shifts.
  • Provide hand sanitiser and regular reminders and signage to maintain hygiene standards.

 

PPE and Face Coverings

  • Do not encourage the precautionary use of PPE, which is extremely limited for providing additional protection.
  • Face coverings (not face masks) can be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure for infected individuals who are asymptomatic.
  • Employees cannot be required to wear face coverings. If used, face coverings should be washed daily.

 

Workforce Management

  • Create distinct groups of workers to minimise the number of contacts each colleague has.
  • Minimise person-to-person contact during deliveries and minimise contact during exchange of documentation.
  • Clearly communicate changes in workplace policies and procedures, avoiding face-to-face interactions where possible.

Inbound and Outbound Goods

  • Consider whether the frequency of deliveries can be reduced by ordering in larger quantities less often.
  • Where possible, have a single colleague load or unload vehicles or using consistent pairs of colleagues where required.
  • Encourage drivers to stay in vehicles during the exchange of goods.

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