The City of London Corporation has mapped out a five-part strategy to encourage workers back into the Square Mile as lockdown restrictions ease, including a fresh focus on an accreditation scheme showing buildings are “Covid-secure”.
Catherine McGuinness, chair of the corporation’s policy committee, said: “We need to encourage the return of workers and visitors, while also providing reassurance about the steps taken to protect public health throughout the City’s reopening. And we will always promote the Square Mile as a vibrant and thriving City with a world-class business ecosystem and outstanding environments.”
McGuinness outlined five projects the corporation believes will help to achieve this. A recovery task force will focus on the Square Mile’s ecosystem and cultural offering, with a report on making the City a more attractive place to invest and work due later this month.
The corporation’s £50m Covid Business Recovery Fund will support local businesses as they reopen, while the organisation will also hold various reopening events to encourage workers and residents to support local businesses.
McGuinness also emphasised the importance of a relaunched Covid-19 Business Accreditation Scheme that pubs, restaurants, gyms and other premises either pass or fail, showing whether the site has the necessary social distancing measures and track-and-trace facilities in place.
Finally, the corporation will be running a “City of London Recovery” promotional campaign aimed at encouraging workers back to the office.
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