'Street ambassadors' to welcome residents and visitors as Hartlepool comes back to life

The Community Street Ambassadors will begin operating from Friday July 3 to “provide a reassuring presence,” offering a “friendly face” as the COVID-19 lockdown continues to ease.

The ambassadors will work in various areas to positively promote safety measures, share local messages and provide advice and support as needed

The new Hartlepool Borough Council initiative comes ahead of pubs, restaurants and cafes beginning to reopen from Saturday July 4.

Businesses have urged customers to support them while staying safe as they put new systems in place to ensure social-distancing guidelines can be followed.

The ambassadors will be deployed to areas of particular need, including Seaton Carew, priority town centre locations, open spaces and parks.

They will be on hand to safely guide people through one-way systems introduced in some shopping areas and car parks.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of the Council, said: “The ambassadors will play a vital role in supporting and encouraging business owners, residents and visitors to stay safe.

“We understand the easing of lockdown restrictions may lead to uncertainty and anxiety for some people, and this initiative aims to reduce that.”

Gemma Ptak, Assistant Director – Preventative and Community Based Services, added: “The ambassadors will be a physical presence on the ground and they will be able to communicate with the public and businesses to increase confidence and provide reassurance.

“They will be out there on the streets to help and we would urge people to co-operate with them to ensure that the easing of lockdown restrictions is managed in a safe and effective way.”

Hartlepool’s non-essential shops began to reopen from June 15 in the first stage of lockdown restrictions easing.

The council has also announced play areas, park car parks and other facilities are reopening.

Hartlepool Labour MP Mike Hill has also stressed the importance of supporting Hartlepool’s hospitality industry while questioning the wisdom of allowing it to fully reopen on a Saturday.