Blackpool ‘We’re good to go’- even the donkeys

One of Blackpool’s most enduring attractions has joined the growing list of tourism businesses signed up the new We’re Good To Go COVID-safe industry standard.

Around 300 businesses across the resort have signed up to the VisitEngland standard within a week of its launch including hotels, B&Bs, visitor attractions, restaurants, bars and amusement centres.

And now they have been joined by a traditional attraction that has graced the beaches for decades – the famous Blackpool donkeys.

After going through the usual inspection regime and the new COVID-safe guidelines, the donkey operators have been given the green light to return to the sands.

Karen Richardson, who is fourth generation donkey operator and whose family have had donkeys on Blackpool beach for over 100 years, was one of the first operators in resort to be awarded the We’re Good to Go accreditation, meaning that her donkey rides will be following all necessary health and safety advice to keep her customers safe.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted that businesses are continuing to sign up to the industry standard in such numbers to make sure that our residents and visitors are kept safe during their time here in resort.

“Every business linked to tourism can sign up to this – as our donkey ride operators have already proved.”

To obtain the standard, businesses must show that they have carried out a COVID risk assessment and are adhering to all of the latest Government guidelines and making necessary changes around social distancing, staff training and health and safety.

Measures include:

· Hotels and accommodation providers introducing deep cleaning regimes between guests.

· Meal services including breakfasts to be pre-booked and timed, and shared facilities only accessible to one family group at a time.

· Timed tickets introduced for some indoor attractions to reduce the number of visitors in locations at the same time.

· Introduction of one-way systems, clear floor markings and queue management systems to maintain social distancing measures at all attractions and help to limit contact between both staff and visitors.

· Encouragement of cashless payments throughout to avoid cross contamination.

A full list of the Blackpool businesses signed up the industry standard can be viewed here, with new additions being added daily.

VisitBlackpool has also launched an on-line “Know Before You Go” platform giving comprehensive information on the measures introduced across the resort’s tourism industry to protect the public so that visitors can plan ahead of their visit. This can be viewed at visitblackpool.com

And don’t forget that Blackpool has a wealth of open spaces to be enjoyed including six miles of golden sands where visitors can kick off their shoes, paddle in the sea and enjoy extensive strolls along the promenade. We also have green spaces aplenty to enjoy especially at Stanley Park, voted the UK’s favourite park in 2019. All we ask of our visitors is to stick to social distancing guidance outdoors and dispose of litter responsibly