BUSINESSES will be inspected on the spot as part of checks to ensure they're Covid compliant.

Southend Council officers will inspect businesses from July 5, for three to four weeks, in a bid to keep staff and customers safe.

The council has been given permission to carry out the work by the Government, as part of it's work with the Health and Safety Executive.

During the checks, the council’s regulatory services team will provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors.

This can range from giving specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, prosecution.

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Martin Terry, councillor in charge of public protection, said: “It really has been tremendous seeing so many people visiting our town since restrictions have been slowly lifted by Government.

"We have seen thousands of visitors across the whole borough, spending money in local businesses and providing a much-needed boost for our town’s economy.

“The majority of our businesses in the town have put every appropriate measure in place to keep customers and staff safe and well, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

"It is absolutely vital we do not let these high standards slip, and so we will be working with the HSE to carry out random site visits to businesses across the town, to ensure maintain the work to be Covid-secure, which is a legal requirement.

“We want our businesses to thrive, particularly as we enjoy more sunshine and welcome more visitors, but it is so important they continue to keep their businesses and safe and secure as possible.”