Linlithgow is Open for Business Again!
After more than three months of lockdown, the moment businesses and customers have been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived. John Smith from One Linlithgow Business Initiative District (BID) shares the latest news.
It’s not only the historic High Street that burst back into life last week, but businesses throughout the town, including Mill Road industrial estate at Linlithgow Bridge.
Things are beginning to return to ‘normal’ but the Scottish Government’s vital ‘stay safe’ message has been given the number one priority to ensure the wellbeing of customers and staff alike.
One Linlithgow BID was voted in by businesses throughout the town towards the end of last year and was expecting to be working on a raft of measures to promote and support levy payers. Instead, the organisation has focussed almost entirely on providing vital practical assistance for a wide range of businesses as they try to cope with the restrictions necessary to ensure the pandemic does not return.
Eddie Linton-Smith, One Linlithgow BID co-ordinator, said they were delighted to see so many more businesses re-open. “But we need to make sure they can be sensible about hygiene and distancing,” he said.
“To that end, we’re supplying every bricks-and-mortar business in Linlithgow with bespoke PPE kits, including hand sanitiser, disposable gloves and masks, as well as distancing stickers, tapes and posters.”
The BID has secured £15,000 of Scottish Government funding, over and above part of a national support package for BIDs in Scotland. Eddie said “In the first two weeks we’ve given out over 50 PPE kits, and paid out a dozen grants, with many more in the pipeline. In total we’ve already provided £2,500 of direct support, and we’re just getting started!”
He added “To say the least, the last few months have been extremely difficult for many. Businesses in Linlithgow have shown incredible innovation and resilience. So despite everything we’re looking forward to a thriving local economy once again.”
Detecting Potential Covid Hotspots With Your Help!
Could you join the 3.9 million UK residents taking part in the COVID Symptom Study, the largest public science project of its kind in the world?
Take just 1 minute each day and help fight the outbreak. All data is analysed daily with Kings College London and shared with the NHS.
One Linlithgow resident says:
“I’ve been a part of the COVID Symptom Study since lockdown began, submitting daily details for each family member on my mobile phone. It only takes a minute, it’s really easy, and it’s great to know I’m contributing to research and helping detect potential COVID hotspots.”
With the COVID Symptom Study data now flagging up potential hotspots, it will allow for greater surveillance and more focussed testing that could detect new outbreaks much earlier. To do this successfully, the study needs more people to join by using the app each day.
Please join if you can, and spread the word about the app with your friends and family. You can download as an app on your mobile phone and get a daily reminder to submit data. Find out more at https://covid.joinzoe.com.
Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council Update
LLBCC is part of the Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian. Collaborating and coordinating with other community councils in the region, sharing ideas, experiences, joining together to tackle issues. You can find out more information on the Joint Forum website.
You can get in touch with your community council via our website using contact us or by messaging our Facebook page.
Business Spotlight – Lilypond Crafts & Gifts
Lilypond Crafts & Gifts has been on the High Street for over 3 years now, although it has been trading online much longer. Run by sisters Evelyn and Kate, it provides a quirky and eclectic mix of gifts, including many handcrafted items from artisans in Linlithgow and the surrounding areas. You’re bound to find something that takes your fancy, either for yourself, or something that makes the perfect gift!
Lilypond has been trading online throughout the coronavirus pandemic and Evelyn was kept busy fulfilling orders and making local deliveries.
The shop opened back up last week with new safety measures in place. This includes a limit of 2 people in the shop, hand sanitiser, social distancing, face coverings and regular cleaning. Although back open they continue to offer free local delivery to EH49 postcodes.
The sisters are looking forward to welcoming people back to the shop and the High Street, and are thankful for the support during lockdown. Evelyn, who is also chair of One Linlithgow Bid, said “It’s now more important than ever that people shop locally to support independent businesses, and we can’t wait to see the return of tourists because of their importance to the local economy”.
Lilypond Crafts & Gifts are currently operating temporary opening hours of 10am-4pm Monday – Saturday. Follow them on Facebook to keep updated with any changes to these and the latest news, and you can see their full range on the website!
Community Spotlight – Linlithgow Burgh Trust
Linlithgow Burgh Trust (SCIO) was formed in 2017 and is run by a Board of Charity Trustees which operates mainly through three committees: Linlithgow Civic Trust, Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow and the Public Art Committee. The Finance and Admin Committee deals with governance and funding issues.
Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow is primarily involved in ‘hands-on’ work, creating and maintaining all the town’s public floral displays – hanging baskets, beds and plant containers – carrying out tree planting and other environmental improvements, encouraging wildlife and enhancing the urban scene generally.
The Civic Trust aims to encourage the conservation of the town’s historic buildings and environment and tries to ensure that new development is of good design, appropriate to the town’s character. We organise relevant visits and lectures and produce publications and merchandise that help to promote Linlithgow.
The first Burgh Trust public art project was the installation of the bronze sculpture of Dudley at the Linlithgow Union Canal basin in memory of Liz Burrows, who supported Burgh Beautiful. Earlier this year The Black Bitch statue was unveiled on the High Street and the next project will be a St Michael sculpture at Low Port.
Volunteers Wanted!
We are currently looking for volunteers to take on various roles within the Trust. Both Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow and Linlithgow Civic Trust are looking for new committee members who can attend committee meetings and support with some of the admin.
Burgh Beautiful require someone to work with the sponsorship of floral displays, who must be good with numbers!
The Civic Trust is looking for an organiser of the annual Perambulation of the Marches, which takes place on Wednesday before the Marches. An organiser is also required for the Doors Open Days which takes place in September.
If you are interested in helping out Burgh Beautiful, the Civic Trust and the Burgh Trust in any of these roles please contact [email protected].
Latest Covid-19 Guidance
The current advice from the Scottish Government to stay safe, protect others, save lives is:
- wear a face covering
- avoid crowded places
- clean hands and surfaces regularly
- stay 2m away from other people
- self-isolate and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms
Scotland is in Phase 2 of moving out of lockdown. The next review will be on 9th July. See some indicative dates for future changes and what you can and cannot do to help suppress the virus.