“NOW’S the time to back local businesses. They need us more than ever.”

That’s the call from St Helens Borough Council as it pushes a dedicated section of its website, set up to inform residents of the businesses currently operating amid the coronavirus pandemic.

St Helens is Open is an online portal which has been created by the council to help advertise and support businesses.

Features include a directory for residents to search for a particular type of business – many of which have diversified their offer in light of the pandemic; printable resources and guidance to help businesses trade safely; as well as public information and advice to help make visits to a town or district centre safe as possible.

To date, more than 100 businesses have registered for free, with more encouraged to sign up.

St Helens Borough Council Leader David Baines said: “Many fantastic local businesses in St Helens have changed the way they work so that they can offer services and provisions to residents at this difficult time. The ingenuity and drive of these businesses is fantastic to see, and I want us to do all we can to support them.

“The St Helens local economy is far more vibrant, successful, and varied than many people give it credit for, and now is the time to back local businesses. They need us more than ever.”

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, added: “We have a thriving community of independent businesses across the borough of St Helens that need our support more than ever now which is why we’re saying St Helens Borough is open for businesses.

“As a council we are also doing all we can to support businesses, from paying business grants and removing business rates to those who qualify quickly, to advice and guidance from our business support team and helping those key businesses that need extra staff find the workforce they need to meet growing demand in their sectors.”

For more information visit sthelens.gov.uk/coronavirus/st-helens-is-open/

To register your business for free, email mediateam@sthelens.gov.uk