Preston to roll out free public hand sanitising stations in fight against coronavirus

Hand sanitising stations will be rolled out in Preston to help prevent coronavirus spreading across the city.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 16th Mar 2020, 09:42 BST
Updated 16th Mar 2020, 15:16 BST
Hand sanitising stations, like those used during Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse last week, will be rolled out across Preston in the coming days. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA WireHand sanitising stations, like those used during Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse last week, will be rolled out across Preston in the coming days. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Hand sanitising stations, like those used during Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse last week, will be rolled out across Preston in the coming days. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

The units will be installed in Fishergate, Friargate and Church Street on Wednesday (March 18) and will be free to use, 24 hours a day.

The specially commissioned dispensers will also be protected by CCTV to avoid theft of the much sought after antibacterial gel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The city's Business Improvement District (BID) will fund and supply the units, as Preston’s business community unites to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Free public hand sanitisers were used at Cheltenham Racecourse during the Festival last week. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA WireFree public hand sanitisers were used at Cheltenham Racecourse during the Festival last week. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Free public hand sanitisers were used at Cheltenham Racecourse during the Festival last week. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

It has also arranged for a team of ‘Bug Busters’ to visit city centre businesses to advise management and staff about best practise to protect staff and customers.

The ‘Bug Busters’, who will be out and about from Wednesday, March 18, will ensure businesses are provided with accurate advice, gathered from scientific and medical professionals.

John Boydell, Chair of Preston BID said: “The BID team, working alongside city centre businesses, are committed to encouraging people to practice good hygiene standards as they go about their daily business.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We want to ensure that people are comfortable in knowing that the business community of Preston city centre is taking precautionary steps to keep visitors as safe as possible until further Government advice is made available".

Outlets will also be left with an information sheet directing them to online resources, updated on an ongoing basis.

The sanitiser stations, featuring hand-washing guidance, and emblazoned with the key message ‘Safe Preston – It’s In Your Hands’, will be monitored and regularly re-filled by the BID and public-minded businesses.

Related topics:BIDPrestonBusiness Improvement District

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.