Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Update on our services

Following the government’s latest guidance on staying safe outside your home which came in to effect this week, we wanted to update you on the current status of council services and facilities that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

We want to thank everyone in North Hertfordshire for their patience and support in these difficult times. We are continually monitoring government guidance and have begun to look at ways that we can re-open additional services where it is safe to do so. Please keep up to date by visiting our website and subscribe to receive updates by email or text.

Waste and recycling

• Garden waste and food waste collections restarted on Monday 11 May. It is taking longer than normal to complete collections due to the build-up of waste in bins, so we ask you to please bear with us and be patient. If your bin hasn’t been collected by the end of the correct day, you can report it as missed in the usual way.
• Bulky waste collections will restart next week (18 May). To protect our crews, please do not book a bulky waste collection if your household is in isolation as a result of COVID-19, unless items can be disinfected and left safely within your boundary for up to 72 hours before collection.
• Household Waste Recycling Centres at Letchworth and Royston have reopened for essential visits only. Please check opening times and what qualifies as an essential visit on the Hertfordshire County Council website.

Leisure and parks

• Some tennis courts are now open for use, but social distancing is essential. These are located at:
  • Studlands Rise, Baldock
  • Priory Gardens, Baldock
  • Norton Common, Letchworth
  • King George V Playing Field, Hitchin
• All other playgrounds, multi-use games areas, tennis courts and facilities within parks remain closed. Courts, pitches and adult gym equipment must not be used.
• All leisure centres (North Herts Leisure Centre, Royston Leisure Centre, Fearnhill Sports Centre and Hitchin Swimming Centre) remain closed.
• Parks and open spaces are open for exercise, but you must observe social distancing guidance (stay more than 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household).

Other services and facilities

• Hitchin Town Hall and North Hertfordshire Museum remain closed. You can take a peep inside the museum by following their YouTube channel.
• Allotment plots are now available to hire again.
• Cemeteries are open to visitors, however non-essential visits should be avoided. Graveside services are still permitted, although attendance at funerals is limited to 10 mourners.
• Public toilets at Howard Park in Letchworth, Fish Hill in Royston and The Arcade in Hitchin are closed. Disabled toilets are accessible with radar keys.
• Car park lifts at the Lairage multi-storey in Hitchin and Garden Square multi-storey in Letchworth remain temporarily out of service for safety reasons.

Latest updates

Business support grants

The government recently opened two grant funding schemes, the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF), to support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

We have already processed over 1,800 grants worth a total of more than £22 million to local businesses, and we are now processing payments on a daily basis.

If you think you are eligible, don't delay - complete our online application form: 

Apply for a grant

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

Self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus can apply for a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profits.

Individuals are eligible if their business has been adversely affected by coronavirus, they traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020, intend to continue trading, and they:

• earn at least half of their income through self-employment
• have trading profits of no more than £50,000 per year
• traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted their Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year

Customers have been invited to claim their SEISS grant on a specified date, from 13-18 May. You won’t be able to apply before your claim date but can make a claim after that day.

You can check your date using HMRC’s online checker at any time.

Stay up to date

Find out about the latest council service updates on our website, and subscribe to text alerts to stay informed on the go.