Sudbury businesses applauded for innovative approach to adapt to coronavirus crisis

Businesses in Sudbury have been commended for their innovative approach after successfully adapting in order to meet the increasing pressures of the pandemic.

During a meeting of the leisure, environment and highways committee, which was hosted via an online video conferencing call on Tuesday, town centre manager Rachel Price praised their creativity.

She said: “Businesses in Sudbury have behaved in the most amazing manner, not only towards our community, but, from a business prospective, they have been both innovative and creative.

“They responded very quickly and have adapted to this new normal that we are now dealing with.”

Reflecting on a temporary parking ban, which has been imposed on Market Hill as an additional safety measure, Ms Price said: “I’d like to stress that the reasons for these road closures and parking restrictions are to enable social distancing in the current climate, and that our focus for the next few months will be on the safety of our residents.”

Responding to concerns voiced by fellow councillors who had suggested implementing several changes to the existing measures, town and county councillor Jack Owen, who is in his third stint as mayor, said: “I believe that the actions which have been taken so far ought to be given a chance.”

He suggested that the authority waited to review the adequacy of the measures until after July 4, when pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are expected to reopen following the lockdown.

“We’ll have a fuller picture then,” said Cllr Owen. “And that will be the time when we should make a decision if there are to be any changes.”

Reflecting on the current measures in place, independent councillor Steve Hall requested that the barriers on Market Hill be replaced with a series of temporary robust structures.

In response, town clerk Ciaran Griffin confirmed that the matter was being explored by both the town and district councils.