Shops getting ready for big reopening as lockdown misery eases
SHOPS across Greater Manchester will begin to open their doors to the public from June 15 as lockdown eases.
Shoe shops, clothes outlets, bookshops, electronics and indoor markets will all be allowed to open their doors from June 15.
Car showrooms and outdoor markets are being given an earlier date of this Monday.
But all hospitality venues – from pubs, clubs and cafes to cinemas, theatres and bowling alleys – remain shut.
After 10 weeks of lockdown, once-bustling centres now look more like ghost towns, with nearempty car parks and shop shutters down, what is the likelihood of Greater Manchester’s shopping scene returning to some sense of normality? The M.E.N. asked major shopping centres and big stores how they are planning for the big reopening.
A spokesman for intu, which owns the Trafford Centre, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure intu Trafford Centre is a safe place to visit and work.
“We have and will continue to following the government’s guidelines carefully, and have a specialist task force with some of the best brains in the business working together to create detailed and adaptable plans to support the gradual reopening of the centre. Please be reassured that we’ve looked at every element of what we need to do to open our centres as safely as possible.”
David Allinson, centre director at the Manchester Arndale, said: “We are following government guidelines to keep staff and visitors at Manchester Arndale safe, and to prevent any potential spread of Covid-19.
“We are working with retailers to deliver clear health and safety measures around the centre and to ensure social distancing is abided by. We will update everyone in due course as the stores around the centre gradually begin to open.
A spokesman for John Lewis said: “We are working hard on a plan which would see some of our shops reopen on a trial basis, and only when these are running smoothly would we consider further store reopenings.”
Jason Pullen, managing director at Lifestyle Outlets at Quayside MediaCityUK, said: “We’re looking forward to stores being able to reopen – people across the region are keen for their lives to return to some form of normality. “Enjoying a little retail therapy in the next stage of the government’s easing of lockdown will be a welcome change for those who are keen to get out and shop. We’ve spent the last six weeks looking at ways to make the centre Covid-secure, following government advice set out for retail and reviewing systems put in place here and around the world.
“The centre will continue to observe and encourage social distancing rules – increased cleaning will be in place for high traffic areas such doors, lifts, escalators and toilets. People will be encouraged to stay within their household group, limiting one household at a time to confined spaces such as lifts. Some retailers, including those which closed first and those with close customer contact such as beauty retailers, may be slower to reopen as they find new, innovative ways to showcase their products and services, we also expect some of your favourite F&B operators to reopen for takeaway services.”
A spokesman for M&S said: “We are working towards reopening more space from June. We have supported the government on its safer workplace guidance and await further information on its rephasing plans.
“We’ve been successfully operating social distancing in our stores for some time and we will take our learning from this as we reopen our clothing business.”
People will be encouraged to stay within their household group
Jason Pullen, Lifestyle Outlets at Quayside MediaCityUK