To receive the above item.

Paul Roach, Windsor Town Manager, introduced the item and said central government announced the four-step plan to ease lockdown, and officers were working together to devise a programme. Key issues raised included the lack of social distancing, street activity such as begging, cycling in pedestrianised zone and graffiti in Clewer and Windsor town centre. Community wardens increased attendance in hotspots and took surveys on visitors, which found visitors travelled from over 20 miles to visit Windsor. Enforcement measures and ways of refraining visitors were explored.

Over £12 million was disseminated to businesses; some businesses did not meet the criteria, and this was fed back to the Business Rates Team. Site visits to businesses in Clewer and Dedworth were made, with at last 115 businesses in the area. 30% were open, and a review of which business sectors were open was to be made. Most open businesses were now listed on My Royal Borough, and to further engage businesses, free online training sessions, invitations to the retail and business forums, support services, and promotion of businesses would occur on social media. 

Car parking usage was down by 70%, and a total of 40% reduction in footfall in Windsor was likely over the last 12 months. The tap and donate service launched in Windsor Yards, which made contributions to the Windsor Homeless Project. Councillor Price said the service also donated to The Baby Bank. Retail units were being refurbished, and pop-up stores were likely to go online. Conversations with Windsor Royal Station were taking place regarding a pop-up shop to support the Cycle Hub.

The key messages as part of the reopening communication strategy was staying local, visiting other locations in the borough, and straplines ‘don’t let your guard down’ and ‘Unlocking Royal Borough’ were used. Councillor Tisi said Family Footsteps was a local blog that highlighted local attractions in the borough.

Councillor Price congratulated the community for achieving 6 to 7 awards at the Berkshire High Sheriff Awards. She raised her concerns about the online promotion of tourist hotspots and asked for clarity on the car and coaching parking graph. Paul Roach said the lines corresponded to years and provided an updated report with the legend for the table after the meeting.

Councillor Tisi asked what was being done considering the trend of online shopping. Paul Roach said social media, My Royal Borough and Visit Windsor were being leveraged, and there was a predication of a 50% increase in footfall in towns and city centres post-lockdown. Retail manager meetings were taking place, and a night-time economy board that explored the safest way to reopen. Councillor Tisi said there was a virtual high-street concept that was used by high-street retailers.

The Vice Chairman congratulated Louise Freeth, Head of Revenues, Benefits, Library and Residents Services, and her team on issuing the grants. Meetings with the Partnership Board for Tourism, Windsor Town Partnership and businesses were taking place to explore how the increase in footfall would be managed and support would be given to businesses that did not have an outdoor dining area.

Susy Shearer, Windsor resident, asked when the locked bicycles at the end of stands as part of the Safety and Security Campaign would come into effect again, and Paul Roach said he was unsure if the campaign would be run again. Conversations were taking place with Windsor Royal Station on managing cycling security concerns. Susy Shearer asked for progress on the tranche one interventions on signage to direct attention to additional pedestrian and cycling space and Paul Roach said he would take this offline.

The Forum noted the item.