Following guidance from central Government, East Cambridgeshire District Council is gearing up to welcome retailers and shoppers back to its high streets from Monday 15^th June.

While some shops selling essential items have remained open, Monday 15^th June will be the first time retailers selling non-essential items will be open following lockdown. 

To ensure that residents’ shopping experience is as safe as possible, the Council has been engaging with local retailers to discuss the COVID secure systems they have put in place and assess store capacity.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is undertaking surveys with retailers to establish whether they offer an alternative shopping experience like home delivery or click and collect. 

This information, along with shop capacity and any revised opening hours will be available for shoppers via the Enterprise East Cambs dedicated high street webpage.

The Council has been working hard to install clear signage throughout Ely, Littleport and Soham town centres welcoming shoppers back and advising them of the 2 metre social distancing rule. 

It is also providing stores with Council branded signage to clearly identify where entrance and exit points are and which way to queue safely to enter stores. 

The Council will continue to provide the high standard of street cleansing that our residents expect and will be extra vigilant in meeting the needs of any increased footfall in our town centres.

Cllr David Brown, Chairman of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Finance and Assets Committee said:

“It is vital for our local economy that we welcome shoppers back to our high streets, but we want to do this as safely as possible.  

“We have measures in place to help our residents shop safely and encourage them to adhere to the advice provided and to practice social distancing while shopping.”

Councillor Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: 

“It’s great to be welcoming shoppers back to our high streets. But we want to emphasise the point that protecting against the spread of coronavirus is our number one priority.  

“We urge shoppers to continue to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene while shopping and recommend that shoppers avoid peak times.

“Where possible we encourage residents to shop local and to walk or cycle to do their shopping.

“We will be closely monitoring public feedback on the reopening of the high streets and will be making adjustments where necessary to ensure shopper safety. 

“We are advising shoppers to plan their shopping trip and to check the Enterprise East Cambs dedicated webpage before they visit our high streets to get the vital information they need to undertake their shopping safely.”

Advice for shoppers in East Cambridgeshire

• Wherever possible shoppers should shop local and use contactless payments
• If possible, shoppers should avoid shopping in groups and shop alone to limit overcrowding. 
• Check the opening times of stores as some are operating changed opening times.
• Visit the Enterprise East Cambs dedicated high street webpage which will help people plan their trip. This will include store opening hours and details of available online or click and collect services.
• Advice on parking and public toilet information can be found on the East Cambridgeshire District Council dedicated web pages.
  • For parking click here
  • For public toilets click here

Ely Markets has also reopened this week and will take place on a Thursday and Saturday, between and 8.30 am and 3.30 pm. Stalls will be selling essential items only such as food, drink, bread, eggs, flowers and plants. Other stalls, such as crafts, antiques and street food will return to Ely Markets at a later date as part of a phased reopening to ensure the safety of traders and customers.

For more information about the reopening of high streets in the district, visit the Enterprise East Cambs dedicated webpage.