Council’s New Safety Marshals On Patrol To Help Town Centre Visitors

Published on: 23 Oct, 2020
Updated on: 22 Oct, 2020

Safety Marshals are among new pandemic measures being introduced to the town centre from Saturday, October 31, for four months.

The council are working with Experience Guildford on ways to increase safety for everybody, particularly in the night-time economy.

To date, the public has mostly policed themselves when it has come to social distancing, as with this queue for flu jabs at Wodeland Surgery.

The marshals will provide a visible, reassuring presence at peak times day and night, help to ensure social distancing, face-covering and hand-washing guidelines are followed and offering advice on staying safe.

Council leader Joss Bigmore said: “We are doing all we can to allow everybody to enjoy our beautiful and historic town in safety, and our marshals will give extra help and guidance to all of our visitors.

Cllr Joss Bigmore

“Being the only town in Surrey to hold the Purple Flag award for our safe and diverse nights out, we know how much people have enjoyed returning to our stunning historic town.

“Since our town centre reopened in June, we have been working with Experience Guildford, Pub Watch and venues to make sure they are able to welcome visitors and follow all government guidelines.

“Supporting our residents and businesses is a key part of our work as a council and it is wonderful that we are able to take further steps towards stopping the spread of the virus and allowing people to enjoy their time in Guildford.

“Most people are now used to the Covid-19 guidelines, but we urge everybody to continue to be vigilant and remember that the experience is different. Please be patient and think of others when queuing, check with venues if you need to pre-book, and wear a face-covering when required, including on public transport. Please also continue to use the NHS Covid-19 app.”

Amanda Masters

Amanda Masters, chief executive of Experience Guildford said: “We are here to help visitors as much as possible, at the same time supporting our wonderful local businesses and their staff.

“We recognise that for many people a return to the town centre has been a big step, and we hope the introduction of Safety Marshals will give extra confidence to those who want to enjoy everything that we have to offer.

“With Christmas just two months away it is especially important we continue to support our local businesses during one of the busiest times of the year. We hope everybody will continue to be cautious, calm, and kind at all times of the day and night.”

The new measures are being introduced through the government’s new COVID-19 Relative Needs Formula, a grant allocated to all local authorities across the UK to help with compliance and enforcement measures.

Guildford is the only town in Surrey of the total 70 in the UK to have been awarded a Purple Flag, held for six years in a row as recognition for providing evenings and nights out that are safe, vibrant and varied.

The Safety Marshals will work with the Guildford Street Angels, who care for and support vulnerable young people and adults in the town centre every Friday and Saturday night, and Experience Guildford’s Town Rangers.

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