Now’s not the time to drop our guard – the coronavirus is still with us. Thankfully the measures we’ve taken together are enabling us to restart; but to avoid a resurgence of the virus, as recently seen in Leicester, we must remain vigilant. 

In some ways it’s tougher to practice social distancing and remember to frequently wash our hands, when we’re understandably delighted to be getting together again after such a long time. The hard truth is, that until this virus is beaten, we simply must continue our shared efforts to stay safe, or potentially face a local ‘lockdown’. So, while we enjoy going out again, let’s remember to stay alert to stay safe. Please take a moment to update yourself on the latest safety guidance.

Bars & restaurants reopening

This weekend, bars and restaurants are opening across the Town Centres. They’ve pulled out all the stops to put in place creative and innovative measures to ensure we can visit safely, including booking and queueing systems, screens and directional signage. Do pop into town and say hello, you can be sure you’ll receive the warmest of welcomes!.

These photographs of the new signage give you a sense of how vibrant Leamington Spa is looking - Warwick and Kenilworth will follow suit early next week. 

Plan your visit to our beautiful Town Centres

Check our website for live updates, including useful information on free parking in the council’s off-street car parks, as well as details of new road closures and diversions in Warwick, which have been adapted in response to your feedback. We’ll keep this helpful guidance and advice up to date so you can be confident about how to stay safe while enjoying your visit to town. 

More small businesses now have an opportunity to receive a much-needed grant. If you’re self-employed, a sole trader or freelancer, or a retail and hospitality business with a rateable value below £65k. 

We have extended the closing date for applications for this round of our discretionary grant scheme to Friday 10 July, so don’t hang around as we’re keen to ensure that local businesses are able to benefit, as quickly as possible.

Leisure centres & swimming pools update

Together with Everyone Active, we’ve been preparing for the safe reopening of the district’s leisure centres and swimming pools in anticipation of restrictions being lifted in the next few weeks. Measures are being put in place to make the facilities safe so that just as soon as we’re allowed to reopen we will be able to return to these much-missed amenities. Apart from the outdoor pool in Kenilworth, which won’t be reopening for safety reasons, a revised programme is being prepared for the three indoor pools and gyms across the district, so we can all look forward to restarting our fitness regimes very soon.

Pause for Applause

This Sunday 5 July, at 5pm we’ll be joining the nation to show our appreciation to frontline and key workers who have selflessly served this community during the coronavirus pandemic. It is also an opportunity to properly acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of our Council staff, contractors and partners who have done so much to keep our community going during these testing times. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the new appreciation we’ve gained for those who give so much to support each and every one of us in Warwick District, could be sustained into the future?

Thank you and stay safe.

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council