THESE are just some of the businesses in Worcester which are staying open, and adapting how they operate, to meet the challenge of how coronavirus has temporarily changed our lives.

Here at the Worcester News, we encourage our readers to support these businesses to help them keep going during this difficult time.

Worcester News editor Michael Purton said: "We all have to come together during this time to help each other, and that includes the independent businesses which make Worcester so special. We have to do our part to ensure that those businesses survive, for the people who run them, the people they employ, and the customers who love them.

"We must all respect the government's guidance on preventing the further spread of coronavirus, but we can do that while still using local businesses, for example by ordering online or over the phone and having products delivered.

"Businesses which can't operate without face-to-face contact are adapting to limit the risk, by having fewer staff and customers inside at one time and making sure they keep a sensible distance apart."

Worcester City Council and the government are helping by offering business rates reliefs, grants and low or no interest loans.

Shane Flynn, director of resources at the city council, said: “Business rates reliefs will be provided automatically through the business rates billing system. Eligible businesses will be sent new bills in due course and any rates already paid for 2020/21 will be refunded. The government has not yet provided details regarding how businesses will apply for grants. We will give updates as soon as these details have been provided.”

We will be highlighting more Worcester businesses, in the newspaper and online, every day over the coming days and weeks.