Business Advice from CW&C Regulatory Services

Business Advice from CW&C Regulatory Services

Cheshire West and Chester Council are here to advise businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic

As of 4th January and until further review, the borough of Cheshire West and Chester is in national lockdown and the information below applies.

The following businesses can open:

  • essential retail such as food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centres, building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
  • market stalls selling essential retail
  • businesses providing repair services( where they primarily offer repair services)
  • petrol stations, automatic (but not manual) car washes, vehicle repair garages and MOT services, bicycle shops, and taxi and vehicle hire businesses
  • banks, building societies, post offices, short-term loan providers and money transfer businesses
  • funeral directors
  • laundrettes and dry cleaners
  • medical and dental services
  • vets and retailers of products and food for the upkeep and welfare of animals
  • animal rescue centres, boarding facilities and animal groomers(for animal welfare, rather than aesthetic purposes)
  • agricultural supplies shops
  • mobility and disability support shops
  • storage and distribution facilities
  • car parks, public toilets and motorway service areas
  • outdoor playgrounds
  • outdoor parts of botanical gardens and heritage sites for exercise
  • places of worship
  • crematoriums and burial grounds
  • Healthcare and Public Services

Some businesses can also operate via the following methods;

Non-essential retail

  • Operate a ‘Click and Collect’ service provided the customer does not enter the business premises.
  • Operate a delivery service, for goods ordered online, by phone or by post.

Restaurants, pubs, bars, takeaways and social clubs 

  • Provide food and non-alcoholic drink for takeaway by collection or delivery between 5am and11pm
  • Provide food or non–alcoholic drink via click and collect or drive through after 11pm
  • Alcohol can be provided by delivery only in accordance with the licensing conditions of the business

Hotels, hostels and guest houses 

  • You can accept certain categories of guests where it is essential to stay for work purposes or to provide support for homeless people. Food and drink (including alcohol) can be provided as room service and must be consumed inside the room.

For the avoidance of doubt, the following businesses must remain closed

  •  Personal care services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, nail salons, spas, massage parlours, piercing services and tattooists.
  • Indoor entertainment, including cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, concert halls, museums and galleries, casinos, bingo halls.
  • Indoor leisure including gyms, fitness and dance studios, swimming pools, indoor riding centres and climbing walls.
  • Outdoor leisure including sports courts, outdoor gyms, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting ranges and riding centres.
  • Non-essential retail such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than rental) betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, auction houses (except for livestock or agricultural equipment), market stalls selling non-essential goods, bathroom, kitchen, glazing, carpet showrooms

We are here to help you

The above is a summary of the key information.

The full government guidance for businesses can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

If you are unsure what your business can or can’t do or are having trouble understanding the government guidance, help is available.  Please contact:

Email: Regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Telephone: 01244 973708

If your business has been forced to close or significantly impacted by Covid 19 restrictions you may be eligible for a grant. Find out more at the links below

Published 11th Jan 2021