In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Slough Central team focused on ways in which the Queensmere & Observatory shopping centres could be used to support the community during an extremely challenging period.

As part of ongoing community support, the team made space within the centres available, rent free, to local support groups and charities, to assist with their ongoing work in responding to the pandemic and supporting local people. This support ranged from the creation of a community wall capable of advertising local services for free to the provision of space to local charities, including charity donation walls dedicated to Slough Council for Voluntary Service (CVS).

We have also been working with existing occupiers to assist and support them during this challenging economic period, to ensure as many can remain in operation as possible. This has included assistance in obtaining central grant funding, free advertising, and the provision of free car parking in lockdown.

Key stores at the centres providing medication, food and health products remained open during the national lockdowns and the Slough Central team have been working with local groups to identify additional ways to support community organisations on the frontline.

Both the centres and shops have clear entrance and exit strategies to accommodate social distancing, with clear markings and signage across the centre.