Communities in Cheshire are being asked to share how local businesses in their area are successfully adapting during the pandemic, as part of a drive to keep people safe while supporting the local economy.

Let's Turn This Around – set up by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership– urges residents and businesses to work together to follow restrictions and keep the region open for business.

Under current Government restrictions, all residents in Cheshire can continue to eat and shop locally, and safely enjoy fantastic attractions within the region.

The campaign will invite local people to champion those businesses that are innovating to help keep the region moving, while business owners and managers can also share their own best practices.

Clare Hayward, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: "We want to underline the message that people can still enjoy going out locally while remaining within the restrictions and staying safe.

"The heroes of COVID-19 include those businesses that have helped keep the economy going and preserved our way of life by doing a brilliant job of managing the challenges of social distancing. We have all seen examples of well-run businesses that are on top of the issues. The example they set is keeping high streets, shopping centres and other destinations open for business."

As part of Let's Turn This Around, business owners and managers will have the opportunity to be part of a forum to share best practice and to, ultimately, encourage local people to help keep their area's businesses thriving.

Examples of adapting to the various rules and guidelines may include clever ideas and management practices around supporting staff in dealing with customers and implementing new protocols and safety measures that are essential for reassuring people amid the ever-changing restrictions.

Stand-out businesses will be celebrated across social media and invited to participate in Let's Turn This Around virtual workshops, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and creating a community to provide support and guidance to one another.

Businesses will also be invited to take part in a series of videos in which they can demonstrate how they are staying COVID-safe.

It is hoped that the campaign, which is also being run in conjunction with Business Improvement Districts and town councils, will go some way to giving local people peace of mind that they can stay safe while adapting to their 'new normal' across the region.

Cheshire falls into Tier 2 restrictions, classifying the region in the middle of the three tiers of risk. Residents are unable to socialise indoors with anyone outside of their household or support bubble and can only meet in groups of up to six people outdoors.

If you would like to share your business' best practice for keeping COVID-secure, or share which businesses stand out for you please click here.