West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has visited a series of local hospitality businesses to promote further easing of the national lockdown.

And the MP praised the efforts of pubs, restaurants and hotels across the county which have put in place special measures to protect staff and customers whilst re-opening their businesses to paying customers.

More and more businesses are re-opening and over the last fortnight, Harriett has visited retailers, pubs, hotels and restaurants to talk about the challenges of opening-up while the coronavirus still poses a threat.

Throughout the lockdown period, Harriett has helped hundreds of small and medium sized businesses to access Government schemes helping them to protect jobs and livelihoods.

Harriett commented: “Over the course of the lockdown period, I have been approached by a large number of businesses for help and I’ve been travelling around the constituency seeing how they are coping now that they are allowed to re-open.

“The general response has been positive and I have been impressed with the ingenuity of local people to adapt their premises to re-open as safely as possible.

“The Government has taken huge steps to create schemes to help businesses to stay afloat during the lockdown and now I am urging everyone to do their bit by supporting local retailers and hospitality businesses.

“The economic recovery now depends on people getting out and returning to as near normal as possible.

“The virus hasn’t gone away, but so many local business owners have taken enormous steps to try and keep their premises safe. I hope that people will be encouraged to venture out and about very soon.”

Photo: Chris and Barbara Morgan show Harriett Baldwin MP the new Perspex screens installed at the Cotford Hotel’s restaurant L’Amuse Bouche, on Graham Road, Malvern.