The Government's lifting of lockdown restrictions to enable non essential shops to reopen was based on a set of guidelines aimed at making pedestrian use of our High Streets as safe as possible. We have made a series of temporary changes to town centres in consultation with town councils. These changes follow those government guidelines on opening business while preserving social distancing. Our challenge is that we don’t just want businesses to reopen, we want them to stay open. The district cannot afford a second lockdown.

An artist will be recruited to deliver two landmark public artworks for Lydney as part of the £2.1million Destination Lydney Harbour project, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Coastal Community Fund.

Forest of Dean District Council has made payments to 124 small and micro businesses under the Government’s “Discretionary Business Grants Scheme”. The payments come just three weeks after the scheme opened. A further 36 businesses have been allocated grants which the council will pay when it receives further information. 

The FODDC officers and Cabinet continue to meet with representatives of our Towns in order to assist the best recovery from Covid-19 for our High Streets. All starting from government guidelines this is still a fluid and changing action plan that adapts as we find opportunities and issues.

Locals who have been taking their daily exercise at Lydney Harbour may have noticed that construction work has recently begun.