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GCA shows the power of cards during lock-down with emotional film

27 May 2020

Award winning artists, and Greeting Card Association (GCA) members, Lanther Black, have written and produced a film for the GCA illustratingthe joy of receiving a card
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Non-essential retailers to reopen as early as 15 June, government says

26 May 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in yesterday's conference that non-essential retailers will be able to reopen stores in England from June 15 as long as social distancing measures are... Read more…

IRC launches ‘We are open' online directory to promote small shops and business still open

14 May 2020

Open shops and small businesses are urged to add themselves to the new ‘We are open' interactive map
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FCA seeks legal judgement to clarify whether insurers should pay CV-19 claims made by firms

14 May 2020

More than a million businesses forced to close during the coronavirus lockdown may know whether insurers will have to pay previously rejected business interruption claims in a matter of... Read more…

Free ActSmart subscription to help businesses through Covid-19

14 May 2020

ActSmart are offering three months of FREE access to to a range of services and support with the ActSmart bronze subscription in return for a small charitable donation
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250 free-of-charge digital Out of Home campaigns offered to local businesses

13 May 2020

Free Out of Home campaigns will help local entrepreneurs across the UK to highlight how they've adapted to continue trading in the current circumstances.
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Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches

13 May 2020

A summary of the specific guidance for shops on working safely
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How consumer behaviour has changed among the British public in the face of COVID-19

10 May 2020

Recent research undertaken by the Institute of Customer Service displays evidence that the British public now place higher value on customer service that they did before COVID-19
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Government will deliver a "tapered" end to furlough scheme

5 May 2020

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has promised there will be no "cliff-edge" cut-off to the government's job retention scheme to support workers through the coronavirus pandemic.
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Coronavirus Testing available for shop workers

30 Apr 2020

The Government has extended COVID-19 testing to essential workers with symptoms and people who live with essential workers and have symptoms. This includes anyone with symptoms whose work cannot... Read more…

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Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Retail The government has recently issued new guidance to help businesses in the UK to get back up and running and workplaces operating as safely as possible. The guidance is broken down according to type of workplace rather than sector, with eight sets of guidelines in total, so it is important that businesses understand that they may need to look at several publications according to their particular circumstances.

IRC member ACS has summarised the specific guidance for shops on working safely. The full Government guidance on working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches can be found here.

Thinking About Risk

  • All employers should carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment. You could use the Health and Safety Executive Shop Risk Assessment Tool.
  • As part of your assessment, consider whether any employees are especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
  • Share the results of your risk assessment with employees. Display this notice in shops to demonstrate compliance.

Who should go to work?

 

Social Distancing at Work

  • Follow social distancing guidelines to keep 2 metres about wherever possible.
  • Where social distancing guidelines cannot always be met, take mitigating actions where possible. For example, increasing handwashing and installing screens at tills.
  • You could also; introduce floor markings and signage, minimise contacts around transactions and use outside spaces for employee breaks to promote social distancing.

 

Managing Your Customers, Visitors and Contractors

  • To minimise contact you could limit the number of customers in store and implement queue management or one-way flow systems.
  • In-store cafes should continue to be closed unless selling food for consumption off the premises.
  • You should provide clear signage and guidance on social distancing and hygiene policies on arrival.

Cleaning the Workplace

  • Ensure air conditioning systems do not reduce ventilation levels during lower occupancy periods.
  • Frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly and workspaces at the end of shifts.
  • Provide hand sanitiser and regular reminders and signage to maintain hygiene standards.

 

PPE and Face Coverings

  • Do not encourage the precautionary use of PPE, which is extremely limited for providing additional protection.
  • Face coverings (not face masks) can be marginally beneficial as a precautionary measure for infected individuals who are asymptomatic.
  • Employees cannot be required to wear face coverings. If used, face coverings should be washed daily.

 

Workforce Management

  • Create distinct groups of workers to minimise the number of contacts each colleague has.
  • Minimise person-to-person contact during deliveries and minimise contact during exchange of documentation.
  • Clearly communicate changes in workplace policies and procedures, avoiding face-to-face interactions where possible.

Inbound and Outbound Goods

  • Consider whether the frequency of deliveries can be reduced by ordering in larger quantities less often.
  • Where possible, have a single colleague load or unload vehicles or using consistent pairs of colleagues where required.
  • Encourage drivers to stay in vehicles during the exchange of goods.

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