Two sites earmarked as Covid test centres

The Civic Hall in Bedworth and the Gala Fields Car Park in Nuneaton could become walk-in coronavirus test centres for local residents.

Following a request to Local Authorities across the country to identify premises which could be used as walk-in test centres, NBBC alongside its partner Warwickshire County Council has identified the two sites as the best Borough locations to support this service. Having met the initial criteria, there are still several steps to go through before the venues can be given the green light. If they do, they will provide two, 3 to 6-month permanent test sites in the town.

If confirmation is received for the sites to be used as test centres, the Civic Hall facility will be handed to a third party to manage test-site delivery, requiring only some limited site-management support. The Council will therefore look to temporarily re-locate its Civic Hall employees into vacant posts within other areas of the Council.

Councillor Ian Lloyd, Portfolio holder for Arts and Leisure said:

“We have been working hard with our partners to locate suitable venues, ones with car parking and easy access of bus routes to ensure maximum accessibility for local residents. Both sites identified have met initial requirements but there is still a little way to go before they can be given the go ahead.” 

Councillor Les Caborn, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health at Warwickshire County Council said:

“We are very mindful of the need for these sites to support the fight against this pandemic and provide residents with venues that they can easily access. The two sites provide perfect locations for test centres and we are now working to ensure that they meet the required criteria, so we can get them up and running as test centres as soon as possible.”