LUDLOW could be set to see more than 150 new signs installed as it seeks to adjust to a new normal with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Major changes are expected with some shops, pubs and restaurants being allowed to trade from pavements.

There are also likely to be some road closures at times to enable businesses to open again.

Many shops remain closed although a weekly ‘Local to Ludlow’ produce market has been open for the past seven weeks and the full market can reopen as part of Government guidelines.

A street meeting of officers and councillors on Tuesday afternoon looked at locations for up to 155 new signs around the town ordering people to keep apart.

But Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, wonders if that number of signs is really necessary.

“That is a huge number of signs for Ludlow,” said Andy Boddington.

“It is a lot of clutter. It could feel intimidating in a town known for its friendliness.

“Distancing has become a way of life for almost everybody.

“We are a town where for the most part people obey the rules.

“Those that don’t obey rules won’t pay any attention to signs anyway.

“We must be a welcoming town during the age of coronavirus. We must be open for business and visitors. We cannot shut our town until Easter 2021.

“That could be even longer if there is a second Covid-19 wave.

“We must be safe, but we must also be sociable in our socially distanced world. It’s a hard balance.”

He believes that Ludlow will look very different as it adapts to a new normal.

“We must get our town back into business.

“It’s going to be tough. We must move into unknown territory as a socially distanced town.

“Every business will need to adjust the way they work. We must allow cafes and pubs to spill into our streets and allow businesses to sell their wares from tables on their frontage. “Some streets should be closed at weekends and public holidays..”

It is not known how long any social distancing rules would need to be applied but people will be at risk until there is herd immunity either through enough people having caught the virus or an effective vaccine becomes available.

An initial survey conducted by the National Office of Statistics suggests that as of the end of April an estimated five million people are likely to have had the disease.

This would be way short of herd immunity that would only start to become possible when a minimum of 70 per cent of the population have had the virus.

A further complication is that it is not clear what level of immunity having had the disease gives to people.

Ludlow has a large population of older people who because of age and health issues are at risk which will be considered.