Restricted opening of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants

Potentially on Saturday 4 July, the Government may allow bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants to reopen, but there is still some debate as to what will be permitted, what social distancing measures will be adopted and in what form.

Herefordshire Council press release 👇

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Whatever the case, it is almost certain that there will be a requirement to maintain some form of social distancing (currently set at 2 metres separation), although there is speculation that this may be reduced before 4 July.

It is clear that whatever measures are put in place, the internal standing or seating capacity of your premises is likely to be considerably reduced and this in turn will raise challenges for your business.

One of the ways forward could be to make use of the outside areas of your premises, such as pavements and other open spaces. We are looking to work with you to consider the feasibility of increasing the amount of available space in Hereford and the market towns that may be used for pavement cafes and bars and would encourage you to consider this an option for your business.

Both the council as the licensing authority and the police are keen to support reasonable proposals, but want to ensure that this is done in a safe way, which will protect both your customers and your staff, as well as the public and local residents. This is likely to take the form of a variation for those businesses with a premises licence for alcohol, although we may suggest temporary event notices are applied for in the short term.

Regardless of alcohol being served or not, there will also be a requirement to acquire a pavement café licence from the council if you intend to apply for six or more items of furniture to be placed on the highway or public realm, for example tables and/or chairs.

Our officers and the police are keen to discuss plans for reopening and would be available to visit your premises and offer free technical advice as to how this could be best achieved. If you wish to expand seating into public spaces we would like you to draw your proposals as a scaled plan drawing showing where tables and seating could be located. We suggest this plan is based on two scenarios - firstly if social distancing remains at a distance of 2 metres and secondly if the government relaxes it to a distance of 1 metre.

Please email your scale plan drawing to licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk with the name of your premises, your name and phone number and if possible your plans and proposal. One of our officers will then contact you and make an appointment to come and visit you as soon as possible and free of charge.

Our highway colleagues are independently consulting the market towns on the reallocation of road space, which may help support any proposals for outdoor pavement seating.

We are also considering how planning rules can be initially relaxed to facilitate outdoor seating for the hospitality sector and will be able to advise on this in due course, as we wish to support and encourage businesses to utilise the open space in our historic city and town centres.

We hope this will help you to make your business viable in the face of the current Covid-19 restrictions.

 

Riverside Primary School in Hereford is taking part in a new national government study to assess and monitor the prevalence of Covid-19 among pre-school, primary and secondary school pupils and teachers.

On the launch of the study, which will initially collect data from up to 100 schools from across England, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

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“A critical pillar of our Covid-19 testing strategy is surveillance – testing samples of the population to gain a deeper understanding of the spread of Covid-19, especially in those who may not have symptoms.

“This study will help us better understand how common asymptomatic and mild cases of Covid-19 are so that we can support parents, pupils and teachers and support staff, and inform our ongoing response to this new virus.

“Generally, children have been shown to be asymptomatic. This surveillance study will seek to better understand rates of transmission in children and adults within schools over the coming months by swab testing to see if they have the virus.”

 

Pupils and staff at Riverside Primary School will be tested weekly until the end of the summer term for Covid-19. Results will be returned within 72 hours with plans in place if there are any positive test results. 

Emma Shearer, Headteacher of Riverside Primary School said:

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“We were pleased to be asked for our school to participate in this study.  Research programmes of this kind are crucial in helping us to understand more about this new virus.  We feel very supported by our school community who see the value in this and are willing to take part. Swabbing is entirely voluntary and children and staff can change their mind at any time.

“The study involves a simple, non-invasive nose swab each week. This is not the same as the nose and throat swabs used in different testing centres. Children taking part have received at Covid-19 Warrior certificate.”

 

Herefordshire Council has been working closely with Public Health England to support the school to take part, and parents, staff and governors have been consulted as part of the process and preparation. 

Karen Wright, Director of Public Health in Herefordshire added:

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“This is an important part of efforts to understand the current pattern of infection within children and young people and support plans for the opening of schools wider to pupils in September.  

“We expect that this additional testing will identify cases of Covid-19 that would have otherwise not been reported. Some people can carry the virus but not have symptoms, so this will enable us to develop a greater understanding of community transmission.”

 

Hundreds of businesses across Herefordshire that did not meet the criteria for previous government Covid-19 grants could now benefit from a discretionary grant fund. 

To date, around £55.2m has been paid out to more than 4,700 businesses in the county in government grant funding support in response to the impact of Covid-19, however not all businesses have been eligible for these grants.

The government has now introduced an additional discretionary grants fund which will help provide assistance to some of the businesses that have not had access to other support schemes. The discretionary grants fund managed by Herefordshire Council will award grants reflecting the size of business, level of fixed property costs and scale of impact experienced.

The amount of funding the council has received is limited at £3.2m, so there is a set of eligibility criteria which each applicant will need to meet.

Businesses eligible to receive this new funding must be a small or micro business, charity, or social enterprises with a turnover of not more than £10.2m and fewer than 50 staff.

Applicants must be either a small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces; market traders with fixed building costs who do not have their own business rates assessment; bed & breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates or charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief. 

Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said:

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“The Covid-19 crisis has hit many Herefordshire businesses very hard, and I know this has been a deeply worrying time for them.  We know that there are many who have not been eligible for central government grant funding to date, so I am very pleased that this new grant is now available. It will provide much-needed assistance to some of the businesses that have ‘fallen through the cracks’ of existing support schemes. 

“Unfortunately the funding we have been given is very limited – not enough to plug all the gaps. In distributing this funding we are trying to help as many businesses as possible, while continuing to press government for further funding to support the local economy and help us build back better.”

 

Applications must be received by 23:59, Sunday 28 June 2020.

Further details, the full eligibility criteria for businesses and how to apply can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/discretionarygrant

I never know which sub title I should put a forum under so just randomly choose.

Anyway with the new subscription charge for the Hereford Times can some well informed person tell me and anybody else who may well be interested that if you pay for the HT digitally do you have an actual HT to read on line (similar to the way Hereford Journal used to do it) or do you just have access to certain reports that are posted online by HT?

Further more if you enter a shop and buy a copy of the HT I think I am correct in assuming you can only access a certain amount of reports on line 

Clarification required I took out a monthly on line HT sub but don't think I will keep it going if there is not a copy of the HT to flick through on line 

I  am surprised there are no complaints about Queenswood parking fines on here, possible because a lot of tourists are caught out by this scam.

I recently received a Parking charge notice for failing to pay £1.50 for 40 minutes parking.  The parking charge amount due is £100.
I checked Tripadvisor.co.uk, since September 2019  Queenswood has received 27 complaints about parking fines out of 35 reviews, most that complained also said they would never visit again.

I wrote to Queenswood to ask if they would consider cancelling the fine, they haven’t replied.  
How can this situation be ignored?  Frightening off tourists who will spend their money at places that welcome them, not Hereford.  It’s a disgrace, I felt ashamed to be Herefordian when reading the comments about why people were fined.  In my own case I went for a quick walk alone during Coronavirus lockdown, avoiding all the runners and cyclists in town.  I thought it was public land , the leaflet I received with the parking charge states it is retained in public ownership through Herefordshire Council  and leased to the 2 charities for 99 years. As such I assumed that using a parking machine was a health hazard and was the same as city parking machines. The place was closed and deserted. I tried to pay by phone but the location number was not accepted. This is not the way to encourage tourists to visit!  Who should I write to who would be more interested  in promoting Hereford instead  of grabbing money and scamming tourists

Car park users in Hereford will be able to enjoy 30 minutes of free parking, to make it easier for people to make essential visits.

In response to covid-19, Herefordshire Council recognises that there may be many people who need to visit the city centre for essential reasons such as to visit pharmacies. To make this easier, and support local businesses, parking for up to 30 minutes in on street pay and display in Hereford will be free, until 6 July 2020.

Herefordshire Council ceased charging at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak so that residents could go about their essential business without the need to find money for parking and enable them to limit social interaction.

Parking charges are an essential element in the operation of our city and market town centres. By charging for parking, we are able to limit the length of time vehicles are parked in one place, which allows for greater freedom of movement and more opportunity to find a parking space for all our residents.

The council are continuing to support NHS and Critical Care staff during this period by providing free parking, which can be arranged through their employer. Free short stay on street parking is also available in all of the market towns.Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:

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“We are delighted to be able to offer up to 30 minutes of free parking for essential visits in Hereford. It is a difficult balance to ensure that our local businesses are supported throughout our recovery from the Coronavirus, but that we also prevent further spread of the illness.

“We have listened to residents and businesses and with this offer of 30 minutes free parking, we can ensure sufficient parking capacity while encouraging people to visit our local shops and businesses.”

 

To avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice please park considerately and comply with the parking regulations that are in place. 

If you have a parking problem please contact parking services at civilparkingenforcement@herefordshire.gov.uk

Monsoon Accessorize stores to close as 545 jobs to be axed, unfortunately Hereford store will remain closed.

Fashion chain Monsoon Accessorize is to make more than 500 staff redundant after being bought out of administration last night.

Monsoon Accessorize’s founder Peter Simon bought the brands and intellectual property, the head office and design teams, and its distribution centre in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire – but not the stores.

Around 450 jobs were transferred to Adena Brands, the new group company, while 35 shops have permanently closed and 545 staff were made redundant.

The stores which it expects to permanently close are...

Basildon

Bexleyheath

Burton-on-Trent

Camberley

Canterbury

Carlisle

Chelmsford

Cork

Patrick Street A, Republic of Ireland

Cork

Patrick Street B, Republic of Ireland

Crawley

Derby

Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Hereford

Hitchin

Huddersfield

Kilkenny

Lancaster

Lincoln

Liverpool Airport

Maidenhead

Maidston

Middlesbrough

Newark

Newtownabbey

Northampton

Southend

St Albans

Staines

Sutton Coldfield

Taunton

Telford

Trowbridg

Truro

Tunbridge Wells

York Davygate

Beattie Avenue, Hereford will be closed from Monday, 15th June for eight months whilst residential development and highway modification works are completed by Harper Group. 

Please see attached diversion map. 

Following on from previous closed topic, parking charges in the news again. You can see why the councils are keen to implement the charges as soon as possible. Overall in 2013/14 councils in England made £667 million from their day to day, on and off street parking operations. After capital charges the net surplus was £549 million.

By law any surplus must be used for transport projects. How about free car parking? If people do not drive into Hereford to shop, the traders say it will force many to close and then the council lose the business rates as well - double whammy!

Car parking charges will come back into force from Monday 15 June in line with Government advice regarding the lifting of lockdown

In line with Government advice regarding the lifting of lockdown car parking charges will come back into force from Monday 15 June.

On 24 March, car parking charges were suspended across the county and the focus of parking enforcement activity has been on tackling unsafe parking, providing free parking for NHS workers and supporting the police to enforce social distancing.

The need for good parking management is now greater than ever as the economy recovers, and businesses rely on the population returning to the high streets. The demand for parking is expected to increase significantly as the lockdown eases, and charges are required to effectively manage parking and vehicle movements.  

The country bus station car park in Hereford will remain free for NHS staff so that they can continue to be supported, while work is on-going in relation to their future parking requirements. 

Holders of a resident parking permit that has expired or is due to expire, are advised to submit an application if they haven’t already done so.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:

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Parking charges are an essential element in our towns and city centres where demand for parking space requires careful management. Throughout this crisis Herefordshire Council took the decision to temporarily suspend charges to allow key workers and those going about their essential business to do so without worrying about purchasing a ticket. 

As we return to work, there will inevitably be an increase in car traffic, and it is therefore more important than ever that we park considerately and comply with parking regulations to ensure goods and services can be delivered, and parking spaces are available to all.  

We would like to thank motorists for parking sensibly during the COVID-19 lockdown, and it is important that we keep up the good work. We encourage people to choose active modes of travel, such as cycling and walking, wherever possible.

 

To avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice please park considerately and comply with the parking regulations that are in place. 

If you have a parking problem please contact parking services at civilparkingenforcement@herefordshire.gov.uk

Hereford & District Angling Association have submitted a planning application for the proposed construction of 28 fishing platforms along the banks of the River Wye, west of New Bridge in Hereford.

Above is a map detailing the proposed locations for the fishing platforms.

Above is a photograph of an existing fishing platform already in situ along the riverbank.

Ecological Appraisal 

The proposed work at Belmont will involve installing 28 new timber fishing platforms on the banks of the River Wye (SAC). Minimal vegetation management will be required to create an access route to the pegs.

No trees will be removed as part of the works.

The ecological appraisal was undertaken on behalf of the Hereford & District Angling Association to give an outline of the ecological receptors on site and identify and protect species or habitat constraints.

Full appraisal attached.

BiodivRpt_2.pdf

Plans have been submitted for the proposed repair and replacement of timber-frame infill panels and both externally and internally at the Black & White House Museum in Hereford city centre.

The Black & White House Museum, formerly the Old House Museum, is a Grade I listed, timber-framed merchants house, constructed in 1621, and situated in its original location in High Town, Hereford.

Its external and internal fabric has experienced several phases of change over the preceding centuries with the most comprehensive changes occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Further maintenance is now required.

Misc.pdf

Disturbing seeing rubbish being left on the hills, commons & car parks of Malvern Hills Trust land. 

If you can't leave it the way you find it then politely consider staying away and not spoiling it for others. 

Malvern Cops spotted a few youths having a BBQ and made to tidy up.

More people were also removed from Gullet Quarry yesterday.

Details of those breaking Malvern Hills Trust bylaws taken for potential enforcement. 

The owners of the disgusting amounts of rubbish left behind couldn't be identified.

What is wrong with some people?

First of all people shouldn't be having BBQ's particularly with all of their dry weather we have been enjoying these past few months and it is forbidden on Malvern Hills Trust land. 

There are been many field and bush fires reported recently across the county by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service including another one just today!

Crews from Evesham, Ledbury, Pershore, Tewksbury and Worcester have extinguished a barn fire at Bredon near Tewksbury involving 50 hay bales. 

Hillside Care Centre opens to health and social care patients but Herefordshire Council have their locations mixed up.

ℹ️ According the the press release from Herefordshire Council, this was the site of the former Hillside Ballroom however, this is not the case! That site that the Council is referring to we knew it as the 'Flamingo' or it was more commonly known as the 'Hostel'. This venue was in Mayberry Avenue nearer to the top and NOT at this location where the Council have re-opened the Hillside Care Centre.  

Council press release below: 👇 👇 

Former music venue site re-opens to support the NHS through the coronavirus outbreak.

The site of a former Herefordshire music venue that has hosted some of best known bands in the 60s has been brought back into use by Herefordshire Council and is now open as a care and rehabilitation facility for health and social care admissions.

Owned and managed by the council, the 22 bed unit at Redhill has undergone a complete refurbishment to the highest standard.  The Hillside Centre will provide patient care and rehabilitation services to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents and will help to relieve the pressure on the NHS during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The Hillside site has a sentimental attachment for many local residents due to its musical history. Before being rebuilt as an NHS community hospital, it was once home to the ‘Hillside Ballroom’ which hosted some of the music industry’s well known faces during the 60s, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jerry Lee Lewis and Status Quo.  Cult star, Screaming Lord Sutch, is also known to have made a lasting impression with his performance at Hillside, long before he formed the Monster Raving Loony party.

Bringing the building back into use as a care facility is just the first positive step for the future of Hillside, as the council continues to explore further redevelopment options for the centre. 

The council is looking to create a specialist facility that focuses on long term care for older members of the community who are living with aged related conditions, including individuals diagnosed with dementia.  The project also includes plans for a sensory garden for dementia patients, in memory of the popular Herefordshire councillor and Greyfriars GP, Dr Robin Andrews, who lost his battle with cancer in 2001.

Councillor Pauline Crockett, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing said:

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I’m extremely pleased that this important asset to the county is now open and will offer health and social care services to recovering hospital patients. 

I know that local residents are extremely fond of the Hillside site due to its musical history and the council’s investment means that it has been brought back to life and will now provide care and support for the most vulnerable members of our community.

I have visited the centre myself and I was extremely impressed with the high quality of the facilities and this is down to the hard work of council staff and the Balfour Beatty Living Places contractors who have carried out a complete refurbishment programme in 6 weeks. 

I look forward to seeing the plans progress and for the centre to become a facility to support people living with dementia in the future.

 

McDonalds drive-thru on Belmont Road Hereford is due to re-open at 11am today.

There are some changes in place ie; No breakfast Wraps or Shakes.

• Limited menu and reduced staff levels.
• Maximum of £25 where possible using contactless payment
• Reduced opening hours 11.00-22.00

Noticed this weekend (just gone) that there's a large pothole, inbound, on the Barrs Court side of the metal bridge. Went over yesterday (Monday) and it's got 50% bigger and deeper in a couple of days ... So be careful if you are using that bit of road! If you hit it full on there's a potential to do some damage! 

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at Kingstone.

Upon arrival they were faced with a double garage with two vehicles well alight and the fire had spread to the roof space of the adjoining house with crews quickly bringing the fire under control using hose reels and BA.

Six pumps and a water carrier together with crews from Hereford, Peterchurch, Eardisley and Ewyas Harold fire stations all attended the scene.

As can be seen from the photo the garage and two cars were completely destroyed.

Crews were left on scene dampening down hot spots with an inspection organised later in the evening.

All persons were accounted for with no injuries reported.

West Mercia Police have confirmed that sadly a body believed to be that of Chris West has been found at the Bromyard Downs.

Chris, who was 44 years-old, went missing from Bromyard on Friday 29 May.

Detective Constable Andrew Curson said:

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We are sad to report that Chris was found on Sunday 31 May and has now been formally identified. His family has been informed and specially trained officers are supporting them at this tragic time.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public who shared our appeals and helped in our search for Chris.

Chris’ death is not being treated as suspicious.