Narrower roadways, one-way pavements and 7,000 stickers telling people to social distance and wash their hands are part of a council’s plan to make its high streets safer.

North Norfolk News: Stickers being printed at Structure-flex in Cromer to help people social distance ahead of the reopening of high street shops. Picture: NNDCStickers being printed at Structure-flex in Cromer to help people social distance ahead of the reopening of high street shops. Picture: NNDC (Image: Archant)

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has launched its ‘You Are Welcome’ campaign to help businesses and customers stay safe as the coronavirus lockdown restrictions are gradually eased and shops reopen on June 15.

NNDC said it was working with the county council on the “narrowing of some road carriageways, widening pavements and advisory one-way pedestrian movement on pavements and promenade areas, so as to create as safe as possible environment for shoppers”.

The measures will be introduced in Cromer and Sheringham town centre and seafront, Fakenham, Holt, Hoveton, Mundesley, Stalham and Wells.

Sarah Bütikofer, NNDC leader, said Cromer-based manufacturer Structure-flex had been contracted to make the stickers at a cost of £33,000, which is coming out of £93,332 the council was given through the government’s Re-opening the High Street Safely Fund.

Mrs Bütikofer said: “These signs... are designed to help people remember that they still need to keep their distance, wash their hands regularly and queue responsibly.

“We want people to feel welcome at all times, but still appreciate that we all have the rules and the guidelines that we still have to abide by to keep us all safe at this time.”

Councillor Richard Kershaw, portfolio holder for business and economic development, said the stickers would be laid out in a “sensible manner”.

Mr Kershaw said: “They’re going to indicate the flow of traffic. They’re going to be advisory or informative. They’re simple and easy to understand and they’ll be a great aid to the safe reopening of businesses in north Norfolk.”

Council staff will visit high streets in coming weeks to advise businesses on queue management and other issues.

Structure-flex managing director Paul Reeve said he was pleased to be involved with the campaign, as he hosted Mrs Bütikofer, Mr Kershaw and the council’s chief executive Steve Blatch on a visit to the factory.

Mr Reeve said: “We have shown members of the local district council how we’ve been printing the 7,000 pavement stickers that they awarded us the contract for, to help with the government social distancing measures for Covid-19, as the local towns begin to ease out of lockdown.”