Sandwich is Open. That's the triumphant message being heralded by a business group.

The town's Chamber of Commerce is directing visitors to a website designed to draw tourists and townsfolk into the medieval town - deemed as important as ever as non-essential businesses reopen on Monday

Chairman David Shaw said sandwichisopen.co.uk (SIO) is the town's "go-to hub" providing suggestions of where visitors and townsfolk can go which are now open.

The recommendations are grouped into topics such as: Where to stay and where to eat and drink and where to shop, attractions and services.

Guidance on how businesses and shoppers can stay Covid safe is also given on the site. For this the chamber has teamed up with Dover District Council to deliver webinars as a tool to manage protocol when reopening.

He said: "We created Sandwich Is Open to help all organisations to have one single place for information on things like opening hours, which places are able to offer click and collect and advertising promotions."

The town has an array of non-essential shops that were forced to close, as well as a selection of eateries.

He said the town is unique in that it is of Medieval structure. As well as that being an attraction features like the narrow streets pose challenges for social distancing, but SIO has been liaising with DDC on ways to manage challenges best.

This, and the benefits of promoting the town as a whole is of particular importance as it prepares for The Open to return to Royal St George's Golf Club.

Attractions already open include Richborough Roman Fort.

Run by English Heritage, it is one of five Kent attractions that have stayed open through the recent lockdown. More will reopen in May when restrictions are eased further.

The Guildhall Museum is not yet open and details are yet to be announced of when it can re-open.

Other anticipated openings include the 70 bedroom Travelodge at Discovery Park. Originally due to open in November, construction was held back. Completion was expected for March and the company said a Summer opening was on the cards.

The company has been asked for an update.

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich