CENTRES OF ATTENTION
As restrictions ease with the beginning of phase three, malls reopen their doors across the country
SCOTLAND’S shopping malls opened their doors yesterday on day one of a major unlocking of coronavirus restrictions this week.
Eager punters took advantage across the country as shops without an on-street door were given the green-light to open with strict safety measures in place.
Shoppers wore masks and maintained social distancing rules as teams of “deep cleaners” worked in the aisles around them.
They waited patiently to follow one-way systems and stuck to strict limits on the number of people allowed in stores at any one time.
Visitors to Braehead in Renfrew, near Glasgow, were temperature scanned by teams of security guards using infrared thermometers as they entered.
The first through the doors were Anna Gorska, 35, her daughter, Maja, seven, and friend Marzena Marcinczyk, 33, from Govan, in Glasgow.
Anna said: “We’ve missed coming shopping at Braehead. We prefer to come to the shopping centre so we can see exactly what we are buying.
“We’re all going back to Poland later this month for a visit and we came early today in case there were any queues.”
Another visitor, Audrey Stewart, from Bishopton, near Glasgow, said: “I feel quite safe being in the centre with all the different procedures that’s been introduced and everything is well sign-posted.
“You just have to be a bit more observant when you’re walking around and everyone seems to be following what they’re being asked to do.”
Alan Reid, from Irvine, Ayrshire, added: “With all the measures put in place, I feel quite comfortable being here.”
Peter Beagley, director for intu Braehead, said: “It’s a great feeling being able to welcome people back to the centre and there has obviously been a big jump in footfall with most of our nonessential stores re-opening.
“We had remained partially open during lockdown for essential stores but today now feels like we’re getting back to some kind of normality.
“It will be a different experience than usual for everyone who visits us but it’s pleasing to see everyone following the guidelines.”
In Glasgow city centre, the Buchanan Galleries opened more than 80 per cent of its stores.
Manager Kathy Murdoch said: “Everyone at Buchanan Galleries has worked hard to make the centre safe and clean for our retailers’ reopening and the return of shoppers.
“Over 80 per cent of our stores reopen this week, including John Lewis & Partners, which had a queue outside when it opened this morning.
“We’re also encouraged to see that the message about the mandatory wearing of face coverings is being followed and we thank everyone for their co-operation.”
Elsewhere in the city, shop workers have grafted tirelessly to get ready for the restart.
David Pierotti, general manager at Silverburn, said: “It has been great to welcome back our customers.
“We know that this new way of shopping is going to take some getting used to but it was brilliant to see Silverburn and Glasgow open for business again.”
Meanwhile, Anne Ledgerwood, general manager of St Enoch Centre, said: “We are following the guidance from the Scottish Government and implementing a range of measures to ensure public safety, including enhanced cleaning with specialist products, social distancing and restrictions on the number of shoppers.”
Shoppers at Scotland’s largest undercover centre, EK, at East Kilbride, were also delighted to spend money again.
One local woman said: “It’s good to see other shops opening again. I brought my mask and was pleased to see most folk were wearing one too. Hopefully everyone will keep following the rules when they come into the town centre.”
Another added: “I was in the queue for Debenhams and everyone was being really polite and waiting their turn. It’s been a while since we have been able to do some proper shopping.”
A spokesman for the centre said: “It is great to see non-essential shops reopening and more visitors returning to EK, East Kilbride.
“There were queues at Primark and Debenhams prior to opening and we have seen a steady flow of shoppers over the course of the day.
“We have had to make some changes in the centre which shoppers will notice when visiting us. The health and wellbeing of our customers and staff continues to be our top priority.”
Michelle MacLeod, manager of Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh, said: “It has been a very positive day all round. The stores are delighted to be open and able to welcome customers again, creating a mood of optimism throughout the centre. The number of shoppers has remained steady and the measures in place to maintain social distancing have worked well.”
The Centre, in Livingston, welcomed hundreds of visitors in the first half hour with queues outside Primark, Debenhams and River Island.
Shopper Lauren Sneddon from Bo’ness, said: “I’ve really missed shopping, so it was brilliant to get back in the mall and pick up some great new summer clothes.”
Livingston Designer Outlet managing director Karen Stewart revealed more than 60 shops opened yesterday and added: “We’ve been fortunate that we are opening with 84 per cent of our brands, which is a high number, and we have further brands opening in coming weeks.”
With all the measures in place, I feel quite comfortable
ALAN REID ON RETURN TO SHOPPING CENTRES