Businesses in Southport have been successful in their pleas for a Covid testing centre to be moved away from a busy shopping arcade.
A Coronavirus Local Testing Site, one of the first in Merseyside, was due to open inside the Sefton Council One Stop Shop in Cambridge Arcade tomorrow (Wednesday, August 5).
But 12 town centre shops, restaurants and cafes issued a formal complaint against the plans, saying they would damage trade and cause greater risk of infection.
Southport BID Chair and Remedy cafe owner Susannah Porter, who sent the letter to the Chief Executive of Sefton Council on behalf of the traders, wrote: “This is a retail arcade, only recently opened after lockdown and as business owners we are all struggling to make a profit in exceedingly difficult times.
“We are a tourist area and have lost a considerable amount of this year’s season already, the thought of a wet, cold Winter with a Global Pandemic and no money in the bank is a serious concern for us all. We need to make the most of the next 10 weeks and feel this decision will seriously affect income.”
The letter was signed by: Paul Dawbarn, The Hungry Monk; Emily Jackson, Sweet Jaspers; Julian Burgess, Tap and Bottles; Julian Burgess, Tap and Bottles; Steven Abbott, Le Boulevard; Christine & Aaron McManus, Aaron Mark Floral Design; Paul & Carol Wood, Osiris; Benard Eastaway, Cambridge Jewellers; Senver Gorgulu, Crazy Razors; Daniel Gilbert, Ebb and Flow; Caroline Molloy & Ruth Grundy, Cranberrys Coffee Shop; and Susannah Porter, Remedy Coffee Ltd.
One of the first Local Testing Sites in Merseyside will be in Southport.
Sefton Council now says the walk-in test centre will be situated inside Southport Town Hall, and will open from this Thursday (6th August).
A Sefton Council spokesman said: “Some neighbouring businesses had expressed concern about the location of the test centre and in particular the exit and entrance to the Test Centre being within the One Stop Shop via Cambridge Arcade.
“Sefton Council have negotiated with the private sector providers working on behalf of the DHSC, and they have agreed to make some changes to the layout of the test centre, including how people enter and exit the building, which should address the concerns of local traders. “Access to the Test Centre will be via Corporation Street.
“The availability of a semi-permanent test facility within walking distance of a large proportion of residents is vital to the country’s recovery from Covid-19.
“It’s important that anyone who has the coronavirus symptoms of a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in their normal sense of taste or smell visits www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calls 119 to book a test.
“Local children are being asked to brighten up the test centre by sending in drawings, paintings, and other colourful artworks which will be displayed in the two test sites in Sefton (Bootle and Southport). You can post completed masterpieces to Sefton Council, Bootle Town Hall, Oriel Road, L20 7AE, or email them to [email protected]”
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