THE Peace Centre is reopening for community hire, business meetings, conferences and hospitality catering.

The Great Sankey site, off Cromwell Avenue, has received two accreditations recognising its high level of biosecurity.

As part of step three of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, from today, Monday, the Peace Centre can open to the public again.

This applies to indoor and outdoor events in line with the legal gathering limits.

Outdoors, in the gardens and grounds, people can gather in groups of up to 30 people.

Indoors, people can meet in groups of up to six people, or as a group of two households/bubbles unless an exemption applies.

In the first six months of the pandemic, the Peace Centre became part of the NHS emergency response and adopted the highest level of infection control and biosecurity.

This learning has been used to design the highest biosecurity standards that are now applied upon reopening.

The centre’s approach has been assessed by the National Tourist Organisations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and has been accredited by Visit England, in recognition of Covid-19 guidelines being adhered to and in ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and social and physical distancing.

The AA (formerly The Automobile Association) has introduced a Covid Confident assessment scheme that helps support the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence.

The Peace Centre had to meet stringent criteria to achieve this accreditation to show customers it has the necessary risk assessment, safety measures and employee training in place to reopen safely, in line with the Government’s and trade association guidelines.

Chief executive Nick Taylor welcomed the chance to reopen and the accreditations.

He said: “The Peace Centre is at the heart of the Warrington community and is known for its incredible atmosphere of safety and security.

“Reopening sends a positive message, but it is important we do that ensuring all our visitors and supporters know they will be cared for and that our biosecurity is of the highest possible standards.

“The accreditations from Visit England and the AA have been hard earned from a year of learning and experience; and now we are ‘good to go’ and welcome people back in.”

The centre is now taking bookings for indoor and outdoor events, with Covid-secure measures and capacity limits in place.

This includes business events such as conferences, trade shows, community hires, residentials, exhibitions, charity auctions, private dining events such as charity or gala dinners and awards ceremonies, and corporate hospitality. Furthermore, the site’s catering hospitality is available to support bookings.