Local COVID Alert system

Following the PM’s announcements earlier this week, North Devon, along with the rest of Devon, has been categorised as a ‘medium local COVID alert level’ area, which is the lowest category. 

Here’s what it means for businesses and residents in North Devon:

• Social contact - Rule of six, indoors and outdoors, in all settings
• Weddings and funerals - Up to 15 guests for weddings, up to 30 for funerals
• Overnight stays - Overnight stays permitted, subject to social contact rules
• Shopping and retail - Open
• Leisure and gyms - Open
• Hospitality - Open with some restrictions including 10pm closing time and table-only service
• Education - Schools and FE colleges open. Universities must reflect wider restrictions.
• Healthcare Services - Open
• Residential care - Open to external visitors with additional precautions, subject to individual care provider guidance
• Sporting activity - Organised sport/licensed physical activity allowed in outdoor settings. Indoor organised sport must follow social contact rules (other than youth or disabled sport)
• Worship - Open, subject to social contact rules
• Childcare - Registered and wraparound childcare open. Supervised activities permitted in private homes. Children's groups permitted.

Medium alert level areas are subject to the national restrictions that continue to be in place.

You must:

• wear a face covering in those areas where this is mandated

You should continue to:

• follow social distancing rules
• work from home where you can effectively do so
• when travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes. Walk or cycle if you can.

Download the poster bearing this information on the Government's website:

Medium alert poster

For further details:

Gov guidance on medium alert category

Fiver Fest is in full swing! 

Totally Locally’s Fiver Fest is now in full swing, having started on 10 October and continuing until Saturday 24 October, with a host of independent Barnstaple and Ilfracombe businesses taking part. 

Shops, cafés, restaurants and others have put on special £5 offers over the two week campaign, which aims to boost the high streets and town centres.

The festival is a free to join and was devised by grassroots organisation Totally Locally.

Hannah Harrington, Barnstaple Town Centre Manager says: “In support of the Live Love Local campaign, we are thrilled to be taking part in Totally Locally’s Fiver Fest this year.

“It’s been a very difficult year for our small independent businesses, with forced closures and a huge amount of pressure and change. These shops and restaurants have worked so hard to make their businesses safe for our residents and in return they need our support, now more than ever.

Last year’s Fiver Fest was a great success; our participating businesses reported a rise in first-time customers, keen to grab a bargain from some of our quirky, individual businesses. We’re asking our residents to show the same support again this year and take advantage of the great offers available during the two week festival.”

What offers are available?

Could Future Proof Consulting help your business?

Seb Blott from Future Proof Consulting says: "Covid is a game changer for us all. "Whatever sector your business operates in, the impact on how we used to work compared to how we are working now and in the future is world's apart. "On top of that, knowing how to keep your customers loyal and advocates for your business is key to being successful. Research tells us that making the customer journey as easy and as effortless as possible is critically important to creating a strong brand. Having the right people to enable this to happen is where you make a difference and leap frog ahead of your competitors. "With many years experience of enabling people and teams to learn how to perform to their best, I can bring my expertise of working alongside global brands like Starbucks, Google, William Hill to give you best in class insight, content and input. Locally, I have worked with North Devon Homes and Mole Valley Farmers - if you would like to see how I can help your business thrive then please do get in touch. Quickest way is to call me on 07974 251 878 or drop me a note on LinkedIn - search for Seb Blott"

Live Love Local: How supporting local business makes a difference

In these troubling times, North Devon’s high streets are counting on the loyalty and support of local residents. Through the ‘Live Love Local’ campaign, we support the businesses on our doorstep to reopen and operate safely following lockdown. We aim to encourage residents to choose our wonderful independent businesses wherever possible and enjoy their town centres safely. Read about some of the ways supporting local businesses makes a difference to the community on our website, and give your support to the campaign; follow us on Facebook and Instagram and spread the word to #LiveLoveLocalNorthDevon and #EnjoySafely.   Free promotion! If you're a local business, tag @livelovelocalnorthdevon in your social media posts or hashtag #LiveLoveLocalNorthDevon to have your post shared on the Live Love Local page.