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As lockdown continues to ease and local non-essential shops are beginning to open, Barking and Dagenham Council is helping shop owners with timely advice to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, council enforcement officers have been working closely with permitted shops to ensure that they have been following government guidance by enforcing the social distancing and not hiking the prices of essential products.

A year ago today (9 June 2020), a major fire ripped through a block of flats in Barking and Dagenham in east London, forcing 79 families to rush to safety.

Miraculously, no one was injured and all of the residents were able to evacuate in time, partly due to the swift actions of London Fire Brigade and partly because the fire’s timing on a Sunday afternoon meant that residents could raise the alarm.

The news that east London’s Dagenham Market is set to close permanently has been met with disappointment, not least from the residents of Barking and Dagenham, but also the council’s Leader. The market, a popular place to snap up a bargain, often sees up to 15,000 visitors heading there every Sunday.

It is a huge shame the owners of the market have taken the decision to close permanently. We’re sorry to hear the news as the market has a strong history in Barking and Dagenham and has been at three different locations in the borough over the years.

Plans to move the City of London wholesale markets to Dagenham Dock were submitted to Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm, today (3 June).

The planning application proposes to move Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield markets to the 42-acre site of the former Barking Reach Power station, at Dagenham Dock.

If approved, the site will be the largest wholesale food market in the UK.

East London’s famous Barking Market is set to re-open to customers on Tuesday 9 June, with a range of safety measures put in place to keep shoppers and traders safe.

The market will reopen in two phases - the first phase will start on Tuesday 9 June, for traders selling essential goods. Phase 2 will start on Tuesday 16 June, when non-essential traders will be allowed to return.

Our officers have been working very closely with the traders to ensure the market can open safely for everyone despite the difficult circumstances.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham can now contact the council’s pest control service, as the service reopened while maintaining strict guidelines for staff and residents’ safety. 

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, said: 

“We opened pest control bookings for all species of pests from 26 May, to support our residents to make sure their homes are pest-free, and to maintain a healthy and safe living environment. 

“However, we must ensure at the same time that we take all precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

This week is Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from 1 – 7 June and is a chance to celebrate and say thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who are giving their time in a range of capacities across Barking and Dagenham.

During the pandemic, a number of our volunteers have taken on roles to support those who are the most vulnerable in the community.

Local community group, The Hug Support Group in Barking, is celebrating after being awarded over £9k in National Lottery Community funding to support its work with parents during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 

Residents of Barking and Dagenham are set to benefit economically, socially and environmentally from the council’s Social Value Policy.



The policy, which was agreed by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 19 May, will see every company or organisation that bids for council contracts worth over £100,000 required to submit clear plans for how they will help the council to achieve its goals.

Women and young girls across Barking and Dagenham who are experiencing ‘period poverty’ have been given a boost thanks to the efforts of two local councillors and ASDA stores.

Prior to the pandemic, Cllr Glenda Paddle had always been at the forefront of looking at ways to provide free sanitary products to the borough’s vulnerable women and young girls, a situation made worse during the pandemic.