Businesses across the Bay have re-opened safely thanks to strong partnership working between us and businesses, along with the enormous resilience of our businesses. With financial support being delivered to thousands of businesses and extensive support from our public health and environmental health teams, things are looking up and businesses are keen to share their story to inspire and support others.
Storm Hair Design, Brixham
Storm Hair Design is an award-winning, modern hair design salon, which was launched in 2016.
On more than one occasion the businesses had to cease trading on short notice and staff were furloughed. However, the team has worked hard to adapt to overcome these challenges including investing in disposable capes, gowns and towels, offering vulnerable clients a quieter or ‘one to one’ appointment to ensure their safety and confidence, and a QR code so clients can still access a range of reading materials during their appointment.
Read the Storm Hair Design case study in full
Bombay Express, Torquay
Bombay Express is an Asian restaurant and one of many businesses which have worked with us during the pandemic, particularly owner Rehan Uddin in his role as managing director of the Asian Restaurant Owners Network.
The business has spent the past year putting in place a raft of COVID-19 safety measures including re-planning its dining area and re-evaluating practices, to confidently re-open. A feature of their safe re-opening is a video showing guests what to expect throughout their visit.
Read the Bombay Express case study in full and watch their video
Rowcroft Hospice, across South Devon
Rowcroft Hospice is a charity that supports adults living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon and relies heavily on income from its charity shops.
The charity has navigated COVID-19 safety measures for quarantining donations, layouts and PPE in its 13 shops and considered the additional safety of volunteers in higher risk categories. Staff carry out enhanced cleaning and, as well as undertaking risk assessments for each premises, all staff and volunteers are risk assessed based on individual needs. Staff and volunteers all have access LFD test kits for people with no symptoms, which helps keep everyone safe.
Read the Rowcroft Hospice case study in full
The Babbacombe Theatre, Babbacombe Downs
Refurbished in 2006, the venue has been part of the Bay’s tourism industry since the 1930s and is known for staging events throughout the year including family variety shows and comedy tours.
Hit hard by the pandemic, the theatre staff and performers have worked relentlessly to adapt how the theatre operates and have even re-choreographed performances to ensure their workplace and the experience of their patrons is as safe as possible.
This work has been supported by the Reopening High Streets Safely and Welcome Back Funds. The Reopening High Streets Safely/Welcome Back Projects has received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
