New Confidence Mark for local businesses

By Claire Cartmill
Published 13th Aug 2020, 17:00 BST
Pictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Enniskillen are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council,(centre) Mr Patrick Blake, Blakes of the Hollow, representing Enniskillen BID and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District CouncilPictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Enniskillen are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council,(centre) Mr Patrick Blake, Blakes of the Hollow, representing Enniskillen BID and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Pictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Enniskillen are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council,(centre) Mr Patrick Blake, Blakes of the Hollow, representing Enniskillen BID and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
A new ‘Confidence Mark’ is being rolled out by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council as businesses in towns and villages across the district reopen to customers and begin the journey of economic recovery.

The ‘Confidence Mark’ aims to reassure customers that measures have been taken by the business to keep them safe and so provide customers with confidence to visit shops and businesses again as lockdown restrictions ease.

Information packs including a ‘Confidence Mark’ window sticker, a self-assessment checklist, and a business information flyer, are available to premises. Premises may display the ‘Confidence Mark’ if they can assure themselves that they have followed five key steps, ie: Increased cleaning and sanitation of surfaces; Provision of hand gel/sanitiser for customer use; Implementation of social distancing measures; Promoting respiratory hygiene (eg ‘Catch It, Bin It, Kill It’) and Risk assessment for Covid 19 in place.

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Cllr Chris Smyth, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, said: “As our towns and villages begin to welcome customers back, one of our main priorities is to ensure that we support our businesses to be prepared and protected in order to welcome the public back safely. We want shoppers and visitors to be confident and reassured that businesses are taking the appropriate measures to ensure social distancing and that public health advice is being adhered to.

Pictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Omagh are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mr John Wallace, Manager, Supervalu Omagh representing Omagh Town Centre Forum and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District CouncilPictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Omagh are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mr John Wallace, Manager, Supervalu Omagh representing Omagh Town Centre Forum and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
Pictured at the launch of the Confidence Mark in Omagh are: Councillor Chris Smyth, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mr John Wallace, Manager, Supervalu Omagh representing Omagh Town Centre Forum and Mrs Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

“The confidence mark will be a clear and visible indication to members of the public that businesses have satisfied themselves that they have taken all necessary steps to help customers feel at ease, feel safe, and above all have an enjoyable experience when shopping in and visiting our towns. I believe that the roll-out of the ‘confidence mark’ will contribute to local economic recovery by boosting consumer confidence and enhancing the shopper and visitor experience in our town centres.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council acknowledges that the last few months have been a very difficult time for businesses here. Many have had to close completely for the whole period with a large number of staff placed on furlough. The Council is greatly encouraged to see retailers across the district trading again together with the reopening of the hospitality and tourism industry and looks forward to welcoming shoppers and visitors back to the towns in a safe manner.

Businesses can request a Confidence Pack by emailing [email protected].

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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council would encourage members of the public to support the recovery of our town centres and has launched a survey which will collate the opinions and views of shoppers and visitors from across the district. Please log onto the Council’s Facebook page to complete the online survey.

Businesses in Fermanagh and Omagh can get further business support, by contacting the Council’s Environmental Health or Economic Development Team on 0300 303 1777.

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Related topics:Fermanagh