The new national lockdown has had an impact on some of the services the City Council provides to the people of Worcester.
However, the Council is working hard to keep as many services as possible running normally, within the restrictions imposed by the Government's lockdown rules.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Leader of the City Council, said: "This is not an easy time for anyone and the City Council is doing everything it can to help Worcester's residents and businesses get through this new four-week lockdown."
Virtually all of the Council's vital frontline services – including bin collections, street cleaning and parking – are continuing to operate as normal.
Parks, play areas, multi-use games areas – also known as MUGAs – and public toilets all remain open. Outdoor gyms, including the popular one in Gheluvelt Park, are closed in line with Government guidance.
The leisure centres at Perdiswell, St John's and Nunnery Wood – operated on the Council's behalf by Freedom Leisure – are closed to the public but open to schools and colleges that already have usage agreements in place. Outdoor leisure facilities that need to be booked – including football pitches and the new tennis courts in Gheluvelt Park and Cripplegate Park – are closed.
The customer contact centre at 89 High Street, the Guildhall and the Tourist Information Centre are all closed. Weddings and other events at the Guildhall have been cancelled.
The housing advice centre at Trinity Street remains open, with a reduced service. It is only open for walk-in inquiries between 10am and 11am, Monday-Friday. Residents can still call 01905 722233 if they need support. If an issue cannot be dealt with by phone, a face-to-face appointment will be made at Trinity Street within normal office hours.
Services supporting rough sleepers continue to operate as normal.
The Crematorium remains open, with up to 30 mourners permitted at funeral services, in line with Government guidance. The cemeteries at Astwood Road and St John's are open to visitors.
The Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street and The Commandery are closed, although Commandery Coffee is offering a take-away service.
Community centres around the city are staying open to provide critical services.
City centre markets are suspended, although individual traders selling food can continue to trade.
However, the Council is working hard to keep as many services as possible running normally, within the restrictions imposed by the Government's lockdown rules.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Leader of the City Council, said: "This is not an easy time for anyone and the City Council is doing everything it can to help Worcester's residents and businesses get through this new four-week lockdown."
Virtually all of the Council's vital frontline services – including bin collections, street cleaning and parking – are continuing to operate as normal.
Parks, play areas, multi-use games areas – also known as MUGAs – and public toilets all remain open. Outdoor gyms, including the popular one in Gheluvelt Park, are closed in line with Government guidance.
The leisure centres at Perdiswell, St John's and Nunnery Wood – operated on the Council's behalf by Freedom Leisure – are closed to the public but open to schools and colleges that already have usage agreements in place. Outdoor leisure facilities that need to be booked – including football pitches and the new tennis courts in Gheluvelt Park and Cripplegate Park – are closed.
The customer contact centre at 89 High Street, the Guildhall and the Tourist Information Centre are all closed. Weddings and other events at the Guildhall have been cancelled.
The housing advice centre at Trinity Street remains open, with a reduced service. It is only open for walk-in inquiries between 10am and 11am, Monday-Friday. Residents can still call 01905 722233 if they need support. If an issue cannot be dealt with by phone, a face-to-face appointment will be made at Trinity Street within normal office hours.
Services supporting rough sleepers continue to operate as normal.
The Crematorium remains open, with up to 30 mourners permitted at funeral services, in line with Government guidance. The cemeteries at Astwood Road and St John's are open to visitors.
The Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street and The Commandery are closed, although Commandery Coffee is offering a take-away service.
Community centres around the city are staying open to provide critical services.
City centre markets are suspended, although individual traders selling food can continue to trade.
More guidance and information – including details of how city businesses can register for the new Local Restrictions Support Grant – are available at www.worcester.gov.uk/coronavirus.
