I joined other Lancashire MPs to discuss support for tourism jobs this week, notably how we can save some of this year’s summer season.
I believe many caravan sites could reopen in Fylde with social distancing in place.
However, we must give these businesses time to prepare for reopening. They need lead-in time to take on new staff and train them, and to take bookings as well as preparing their sites.
I’m delighted to see retail businesses beginning to reopen in a safe manner across Fylde.
It will not be easy for businesses, but it is vital we get them operating again in a safe environment for both staff and customers.
We must keep social distancing to stay safe and stop the spread of coronavirus, but it is also clear that an ailing economy also has a significant impact on people’s health.
I want businesses to let me know how they find reopening and if there is any more help or guidance they feel they need from Government.
We must never lose sight of how important it is to support our incredible local shops.
I have this week been working on a bid to Government for the South Fylde line, along with Blackpool South MP Scott Benton.
We want to see a passing loop installed on the line and have applied to the Restoring Railways scheme for funding.
We’ve got the support of all of the local authorities involved, as well as business and tourism organisations, major employers and rail groups. Hopefully the bid will be progressed through to the next round.
I also received an update from the Lancashire Resilience Forum. It is clear we are going to have to live with coronavirus for quite some time; health bosses told me we are going to have to keep working hard to keep the R rate down until Autumn to ensure we beat the virus.
The message was clear: to protect our families and communities, we need to keep our social distance, wear facemasks on public transport, and continue rigorously washing our hands.