The Helix Visitor Centre and The Kelpies reopening dates confirmed

The Falkirk attractions have been subject to extensive safety testing following a prolonged closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Falkirk Community Trust (FCT), which manages the site, has confirmed The Helix Visitor Centre will be back in business as of tomorrow (Saturday), while members of the public will be able to see inside The Kelpies from Saturday, November 7.

Both venues have met the requirements of VisitScotland’s Good to Go accreditation.

As lockdown measures have eased, FCT has reopened The Plaza Café, toilets and visitor centre gift shop.

Visitors are urged to continue to follow government advice to plan ahead as capacity will be reduced in the visitor centre and its car park is likely to be busy.

Entry to the park and visitor centre is free, however, parking charges will apply at weekends for the main Helix car park.

It is mandatory to wear a face mask indoors, although not when seated in the café.

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Visitors and staff will be asked to continue to follow safety guidance around wearing a face covering, using hand sanitiser provided, following a new one-way system and keeping distance from others.

An enhanced cleaning regime is in place, along with sneeze screens in the café and gift shop. Where possible, customers are asked to use contactless card payments.

In order to comply with the Scottish Government’s Test and Protect scheme, visitors eating indoors will be asked to provide contact details.

Ben Mardall, team leader, said: “Things will look a little different due to the new safety measures we have put in place and we are urging all visitors to plan their visit in advance.

“We thank you for your patience and for supporting us to help protect our community and our staff.”

The visitor centre will open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm. Last entry to the café is 3.30pm.

To minimise numbers inside the building, FCT will ask, where possible, for only one person per party to queue to order food. Seating indoors is strictly subject to availability .

The Plaza Café will be open on weekends only, 10.30am-3pm. Its toilets are open seven days a week, 10am-4pm.

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