Coronavirus: Latest updates from across the West Midlands
Locked In With…
Russ Cockburn is director of Cucumber PR, a communications agency based in Albrighton.
Who are you locked in with?
My wife and fellow director Joan Cockburn and the real boss of Cucumber PR…Doog, our 5-year-old cockapoo.
How has the lockdown and working from home been for you so far?
Our offices are above the garage so not really that different from a work perspective. People say it’s difficult to be self-disciplined when at home, but it’s now second nature so it’s more a case of making sure I don’t work at weekends now that the usual treats (pub/football/long walks in the country) are no longer there.
I’m also now fast becoming a master of ten different virtual meeting platforms!
What has been the best thing about staying in?
I think we’ve all been guilty of saying in the past that we hoped ‘the world would stop for a while so we can catch-up’, well in some respects this is now happening.
Learning to relax has always been a challenge, but I’m now getting on top of that and, under the duress of the wife, I’m learning to cook – naturally with a beer in hand.
And what have you missed the most?
Just popping out to see family and friends, something we have taken for granted. I do love a trip to the pub and go ‘home and away’ with Wolverhampton Wanderers, so taking two of my main vices away in one go has been a tough pill to swallow.
What previously essential thing have you realised is not actually essential?
Face-to-face meetings. Zoom, in particular, has shown that you can have regular group meetings effectively and can save time you would usually spend travelling. There’s also a positive environmental spin-off to this approach.
What are the changes you’ve made that you plan on continuing when restrictions are lifted?
As a business, we are definitely going to make more use of technology to reduce the number of face-to-face meetings we have – it just makes common sense on so many levels.
I’ve also started virtual spin classes and will carry these on through the internet or maybe in person at the local classes.
Have you made progress on any of your bucket list items?
Work is still relatively busy supporting manufacturers who are helping with the Covid-19 fightback, so haven’t had chance to look at it this yet…I’ll add it to the ‘to do’ list.
What is the first thing you will do when isolation ends?
Go and see my dad and brother, followed by a quick pint in the local (if safe to do so).
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In light of the current COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing rules, organisers of Birmingham’s biggest free-entry food and drink festival have taken the decision to postpone this year’s event.
Colmore Food Festival was set to take place Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July in Centenary Square.
Colmore Food Festival is the annual celebration of Colmore Business District restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels. It attracts more than 30,000 visitors each year and is hosted by Colmore Business Improvement District (BID). In 2020, the festival was set to celebrate its 10th anniversary, with 35 venues taking part.
Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore BID, said “Since the government’s ban on mass gatherings back in March, we have been monitoring the situation with regard to the current COVID-19 pandemic and what action to take. While our initial instinct was to postpone till later in the year, with a phased return to business likely and additional restrictions on hospitality businesses, we felt the best course of action was in fact to cancel this year’s event. The safety and well-being of both visitors and exhibitors is at the heart of our decision.
“Colmore Food Festival has continued to grow in popularity, with over 30,000 people attending the 2019 event. While, like many we are saddened that this year’s festival has been cancelled, we will be back next year bigger and better than ever. In the meantime, we will continue to support those affected by the lockdown by any means we can. Our business support hub is being updated daily and the BID team remain at hand to offer advice and signposting to other resources.”
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City of Wolverhampton Council’s Bilston, Wednesfield and city centre markets will re-open this weekend.
On Saturday the council will introduce its phased approach for getting the markets back up and running using social distancing measures to ensure the safety of staff, traders and public.
This will include a separate entrance/exit, a guided one-way system, a managed maximum capacity at any given time and extra security.
In the first phase residents will be able to purchase meat, poultry, fish, cheese, cooked meats, frozen foods, bakery products, fruit and vegetables, household goods (electrical, DIY, hardware and cleaning products), pet supplies and confectionery.
The second phase will see traders of takeaway food, mobile phone, vapes, and key cutting/shoe repair return with the third stage seeing the markets open fully. This will be subject to the level of compliance and feedback.
Cllr Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “We will have a phased and managed approach to get markets back up and running.
“We understand there will be concerns from residents but we are putting measures in place to ensure the safety of the public, staff and traders.
“Traders have been informed of the phased approach and we are working with them to ensure they also have the correct measures in place to operate safely.”
Bilston indoor and outdoor market opening times are Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (8.30am – 4pm). Wolverhampton City Centre Market opening times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (7.30am to 4pm). Wednesfield opening times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (8am – 3.30pm).
