Council services start to reopen their doors as lockdown restrictions ease

Libraries and other public services in the BCP Council area are beginning to reopen from today, 12 April, as more services restart as part of the national approach to lockdown easing.

Local libraries will reopen their doors over a three-week period from 12 April, and will take a phased approach to reintroducing browsing and borrowing in person, bookable public computers and bookable study tables:

• From 12 April:Boscombe, Broadstone, and Charminster libraries will offer browsing and bookable public computers. Bournemouth, Christchurch, Kinson Hub, Poole, Rossmore, and West Howe libraries will also offer bookable study tables.
• From 19 April:Canford Heath, Highcliffe, Southbourne, Tuckton, Westbourne, and Winton libraries will offer browsing and bookable public computers. Hamworthy Library will also offer bookable study tables.
• From 26 April:Branksome, Castlepoint, Creekmoor, and Oakdale libraries will offer browsing and bookable public computers. Springbourne Library will also offer bookable study tables.

Canford Cliffs, Ensbury Park and Parkstone libraries will continue to provide Order & Collect services. Full reopening details and opening hours for all libraries are available here.

Libraries are amongst several BCP Council services that will reopen next week in line with changes to government guidelines. In addition, from 12 April:

• Two Riversmeet Leisure Centrewill reopen some facilities, including the gym, the swimming pools, sports hall and squash courts – these must only be accessed in line with government guidance
• Tourist Information Centres in Bournemouth and Poole will reopen
• Retail facilities and some outdoor catering facilitieswill reopen at Highcliffe Castle, Poole Museum and the Russell Cotes Museum (please note, the castle and museums themselves will not reopen until step 3 in the easing of lockdown restrictions)
• Hengistbury Head and Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centres will reopen (excluding exhibitions)
• Self-catering accommodationat Bournemouth Beach Lodges and Steamer Point Lodge will reopen
• Changing Places facility at the public toilets in Bournemouth Lower Gardens now open (reopened on 10 April)

Matti Raudsepp, Director of Customer & Business Delivery at BCP Council, said: "We are delighted to be opening up more services as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. All venues that reopen will have strict COVID-safe procedures in place and we would ask everyone accessing them to follow the rules, to help keep visitors and staff safe.

"As we begin to enjoy access to more services again, please remember hands-face-space: keep hands regularly cleaned, wear a mask whenever you should and follow the rules on social distancing. People across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have sacrificed a huge amount over recent months to stop the spread of COVID-19, so please help us to keep our rates low locally and take this next step safely."

As more services open up in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole from 12 April, the Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards teams will be out and about across BCP, offering support and guidance to businesses as they reopen. Business Information Officers will also be on hand to help businesses comply with the new rules, providing advice on issues such as new Test and Trace requirements.

For up-to-date information on BCP Council services, visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/COVID-19/Service-changes-and-updates/Service-changes-and-updates.aspx

For information on the government guidance from 12 April, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do