Southend Safe scheme launched ahead of hospitality sector opening

June 25, 2020

Southend Safe - a scheme designed to help the hospitality and leisure sector operate safely as they begin to reopen - has been launched.

The scheme encourages business servicing the tourism and hospitality sector to apply for a Southend Safe kite mark, to show they meet new safety standards around distancing, hygiene and other measures put in place by central Government.

It will be accompanied by a Visit Southend Safely campaign to promote visiting the borough in a safe way, with practical tips on keeping safe and well when out and about.

To gain the kite mark, organisations must show they comply with a Covid checklist and submit their risk assessment via the website, www.southendtp.co.uk. The kite mark will help reassure the public that the venues they visit are COVID-secure and operating within the latest Government Guidance.

Southend Safe was developed by Southend Tourism Partnership, which has been meeting regularly and consists of businesses in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries in our borough, and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. The partnership developed the scheme in accordance with guidance from UK Hospitality, British Institute of Inn-keeping, British Beer & Pub Association and BALPPA and UK Gov.

Councillor Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for Business, Culture and Tourism said: “Southend has long had a thriving leisure sector. Hospitality is a key part of a seaside town such as Southend and we are determined to ensure it can thrive again once open for business. Any re-opening must, however, be done in a safe and responsible manner and we welcome the launch of the Southend Safe scheme.

“I hope this helps to reassure members of the public that they can, from 4 July, socialise and enjoy the leisure facilities in the borough once more, sensibly and at a social distance.”

Jacqui Dallimore, Exec Director at Roslin Beach Hotel and Chair of Southend Tourism Partnership said: “We would like to see businesses right across the borough displaying these posters, helping to make it clearly visible to residents and visitors that we are all working together towards a safer Southend at this time. Together, through this scheme, we can confidently and safely encourage and re-welcome visitors back to the town, local residents out to our venues, and help our businesses get back on track.

“To our customers old and new, we have missed you and are looking forward to seeing you again soon, safely.”

Cllr Martin Terry, cabinet member for community safety, says: “This partnership approach to ensuring we can reopen Southend safely and in a managed and sensible way is working well, and I want to thank everyone working together on this. The Southend safe scheme should give confidence to local people and visitors that they can visit venues safely from 4 July.”