There will be 20 Covid-19 Business Support Advisors around the borough until at least the end of March next year.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, in Stourbridge with new Covid Business Support Advisors Jayne Payne (left), Kelly Martin (right) and June Sawyer.

Their role will be to ensure businesses have appropriate measures in place to keep shoppers, visitors and staff safe.

Following inspections at the request of businesses, they will be able to issue posters to display in windows which will reassure people that the premises is “Covid-19 Customer Secure”.

Teams will be based in Dudley, Halesowen, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Sedgley and Lye and will work Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:

"The council has been working closely throughout the pandemic with businesses to provide advice and support the implementation of new measures to improve the safety of customers.

"To become Covid secure, businesses will have to show they have a number of measures in place to ensure anyone who visits is safe.

"It includes things like a contact tracing system, displaying NHS QR codes and safety signage, taking steps to maintain two metre social distancing and ensuring customers are wearing face coverings.

"The posters displayed in the windows will reassure visitors that the very highest standards are being followed to keep them safe during these unprecedented times."

The scheme is funded through the government’s Local Authority Covid-19 Compliance and Enforcement Grant.

Inspections can be requested online at www.dudley.gov.uk/council-community/dudley-council-plus/ or by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

If you are concerned a business is in breach of the coronavirus measures you can report this via the online form or by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

To report a breach of social restrictions, such seven or more people gathering in one area or people not wearing face coverings when they should, complete the West Midlands Police reporting breach of restrictions online form.