VICTORIA Hall, the council offices and Southway public toilets have closed until further notice due to Covid-19.

A decision on the Folk and Boat Festival scheduled for June 17-21 has not yet been made.

Postponement of this event is being investigated to reduce the losses that will be suffered by the council and a wide range of local businesses should the event require full cancellation.

Tickets will be transferred if the event is postponed or refunded if it is ultimately cancelled.

All office-based council staff will be working from home and can be contacted on their email addresses which can be found on the council website www.middlewich.org.uk/your-council-2/

Lisa Benskin, interim clerk at Middlewich Town Council, said: "The council must ensure that it protects its employees, councillors and all members of the public that use the venue during these unprecedented times.

"Whilst the office is closed all telephone calls to the office on 01606 833434 will be transferred to voicemail with messages then being emailed to the appropriate member of staff. Your message will be responded to as soon as possible and within 24 hours.

"All bookings save for NHS Blood and Transplant Service are cancelled for Victoria Hall as a result of virus and hirers will receive a full refund. At this stage we expect this to include all bookings until the end of May."

The Town Council team will contact people regarding your refunds as soon as possible. The cancellation on bookings may be extended further dependent upon Government advice kept and under regular review and all hirers will be updated regularly.

In the event of any queries regarding bookings in the interim email admin@middlewich.org.uk.

The council is looking to establish a bank of volunteers who are willing to help those self-isolating with

shopping delivery or telephone contact to reduce the feeling of isolation.

Anyone able to offer any time and would like to become a volunteers should email admin@middlewich.org.uk or call

01606 833434.

The council will also be contacting local businesses to see what delivery services or assistance they can offer

to residents who are self-isolating and will promote these details on their website, social media channels and a mailing campaign.

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Ms Benskin added: "We would encourage all residents to support your local businesses, while staying safe, as much as possible as the restrictions, will hit small businesses more than most.

"If you are a resident who is self-isolating and need some help with shopping, post or just a friendly

voice to talk too please contact us and we will aim to match you up with a volunteer local to you.

Anyone who has bought ticket If you have already purchased a ticket this will either be transferred to a postponement date or refunded in full if the event is

ultimately cancelled.

Full council and committee meetings will not be taking place until further notice.

The council took steps at its meeting on Monday evening to ensure the council can continue to operate

in the intervening period by providing emergency powers to the town clerk.

Updates will be provided on the council social media channels - Facebook, Twitter and

Instagram and our website www.middlewich.org.uk

Anyone who is not online can call the council on 01606 833434 for any updates or with any

questions.

"This is an unprecedented situation but if we can all pull together we will get through this," said Ms Benskin.