Shoppers embrace face masks as malls reopen
EAGER shoppers have embraced the new normal of face masks and social distancing as they headed to malls across the country. Shopping centres, such as intu Braehead, Silverburn, Buchanan Galleries, St Centre and Princes Square, reopened fully yesterday for the first time since lockdown measures began.
Customers will be expected to adhere to strict social distancing measures, make use of hand sanitising stations and follow Scottish Government regulations while in the centres.
Megan Robertson, who was keen to visit intu Braehead, said she was excited to be back at the shops.
The 28-year-old told the Glasgow Times: “I know the shops that are opening were classed as non-essential and, obviously, I understand why because it’s not as if we need new clothes constantly, but it makes such a difference to my mood.”
Her friend, Lauren Edgar, added: “I think just knowing that if we want to go to a shop we can, is making a massive difference to my mental health.”
The teams behind the shopping centres have urged customers to get behind the new guidelines.
David Lyon, from intu Braehead, said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming customers back and, obviously, doing it as safely as possible is the most important thing.
“It’s not going to be normal as customers are used to and that’s because we want people to have safety in mind so they’re reassured when they come out the house.”
David Pierotti, of Silverburn Shopping Centre, added: “We know 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.”