Covid marshals, free parking and sparkling streets - the changes to expect in Leeds city centre on April 12

A Covid marhsal and a street cleaner in Leeds (photo: @Leeds_City_Ctr / Twitter).

The "extra uniformed presence" on the city's streets is timed to coincide with the next phase of lockdown easing on Monday.

Non-essential shops can reopen and hospitality venues can serve customers outside.

Covid marshals and 'city centre ambassador’s' will be around to "help support and guide shoppers and visitors", according to Leeds City Council's city centre management team.

The marshals are making a return after appearing on the city's streets in-between lockdowns last year.

A team of 12 ambassadors were introduced in July to support reopening of non-essential retail in the city, a spokesperson said last July.

A Government spokesperson said last year that marshals were there "to help support our high streets and public spaces, making sure that people feel safe to enjoy them."

Night marshals will also be redeployed to Leeds city centre to remind people at bars and restaurants to keep social distancing.

Although Leeds seems busier than past lockdowns, this month will still be the first time many people have been into the city centre since last year, before England went into its third national lockdown on January 5.

The council's street cleansing teams have been busy making sure the city centre looks its best for Monday, washing down and disinfecting the streets.

Visitors will be able to take advantage of free parking as part of the city’s efforts to get the high street buzzing again following the easing of national coronavirus restrictions.

Leeds City Council has suspended parking charges in its council-managed car parks and on-road spaces in the city centre and Otley for three weekends in April and May.

The weekends covered by the council’s free parking initiative will be April 17-18, April 24-25 and May 1-2. It will also cover May 3, which is a bank holiday Monday.

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