MORE than 25 shops are set to re-open in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre today (June 15) as lockdown restrictions start to ease.
And centre staff have been working to make sure customers and visitors can enjoy the experience while staying safe too.
Manager Ken Williams said it was vital for everyone to play their part.
“We need people’s help to make this work, we need them to tune in and work with us,” he said.
“It’s not going to be the same but we are all looking forward to getting back.”
Measures in place include a clear rout through the centre featuring a one way system to avoid face-to-face encounters.
“We want people to be tolerant and patient and respect what others are trying to do because we are reliant on the public while we go through this coming phase,” said Ken.
“We don’t want to contribute to anything that sends us backwards.”
He added that while the centre has been open throughout the lockdown for essential services visitor numbers had steadily been building as more and more stores begin to open, the most recent being The Range.
“We had 5,500 visitors through on Monday and that was a big call, double what we were having two to three weeks ago,” said Ken.
“Our challenge is to make the space available for people to stand back and keep social distancing intact.
“We have taken a number of precautionary measures within the centre which includes enhanced deep cleaning and building ventilation, as well as making PPE available for all our employees.
“To encourage social distancing, arrows and signage will be in place throughout the centre with limited numbers of people able to access toilet facilities, stairs, lifts and escalators.
“We very much look forward to welcoming our retailers and community back to our centre.”
Confirmed openings on June 15 include, Debenhams, Primark, New Look, River Island, 365 Interiors, Deichmann, F Hinds, Foot Asylum, Hobby Kids, Heaphys, HMV, Home Sweet Home Interiors, Jack Jones, JD Sports, Muffin Break, Riley Boutique, Shoe Zone, Sports Direct, The Entertainer, Timpson, TK Maxx, Vodafone, Waterstone’s and Yours clothing.
To view the full list of shops open visit: HERE.
