Everything you need to know as shops reopen

AFTER many months of lockdown, Cardiff shops are preparing to finally reopen.

Shoppers will be returning in their droves to the city’s shops as non-essential retail opens up today.

With many excited shoppers and some even booking the day off to make the most of the sales, it’s set to be a very busy day for the city.

St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff has revealed its plans to reopen as non-essential retail prepares to restart after months of lockdown.

The centre’s team is “very much looking forward to opening our doors again” and will manage the number of shoppers “closely”.

A number of coronavirus measures will be in place, many of which are similar to those in place following previous lockdowns. They include: ■■hand sanitiser points located throughout the centre;

■■a one-way system to help maintain social distancing, with limited capacity;

■■a queuing system for entry to the centre if capacity is reached, to help maintain social distancing;

■■all centre staff provided with face coverings; and ■■signs and floor stickers to remind guests to keep a safe distance apart.

The centre was unable to confirm the exact list of its stores that will reopen today, but asked shoppers to keep an eye on their website for information.

Debenhams is reopening its Cardiff store for one last time on Monday and it is holding a massive closing-down sale.

In January 2021, the cherished department retailer announced it would close all its stores.

The department chain fell into administration twice in recent times.

The store is holding a final closing-down sale from today, with up to 70% off fashion and home products, and up to 50% off beauty and fragrance lines.

The stores are reopening as part of Debenhams’ final stock liquidation process and will continue to trade for a limited number of weeks until the stock in the stores is fully cleared.

Stocks are limited and expected to sell out quickly so shoppers have been urged to visit their nearest store quickly to avoid disappointment.

A spokeswoman for Debenhams said that the opening hours for the Welsh stores will be from 10am to 5pm.

Sadly, a number of stores won’t be reopening today.

One of the biggest stores to go is Topshop on Queen Street.

In December, the chain announced that its huge store in

Cardiff city centre will not reopen after coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted.

It came after the brand’s owner, Arcadia, fell into administration – putting more than 13,000 jobs at risk.

A spokesperson for Topshop confirmed that the store on Queen Street will not reopen. The store also comprises Topman and a Miss Selfridge concession.

A Topshop concession was available in Debenhams, which has now also closed.

The Michael Kors store on the Hayes opened to huge excitement back in 2016, but won’t be reopening today.

The high-end fashion store was one of the big names to open in the St David’s shopping centre.

It was located in the former H&M store on the Hayes, and stocked the brand’s shoe collection, an extensive set of bags, purses and accessories.

But in February the store was pictured closed and gutted.

Outside of the city centre, the Flying Tiger in Roath will also remain closed.

A popular vegan junk food chain revealed plans to replace the shop on Wellfield Road.

Oowee Vegan has submitted a planning application to Cardiff council to replace the oncepopular store.

The application is a change of use from retail to restaurant, meaning the most recent tenant of the unit, Flying Tiger, is set to close.

On Friday, Cardiff council said staff from the Shared Regulatory Services have visited a number of premises to give advice and guidance on how shops in the city centre can operate safely in line with ongoing Covid restrictions.

Stewards will also be working on-street to help retail businesses manage the public queuing to get into the shops.

The council said: “Given the number of people that we expect to come into Cardiff as the city starts to reopen, all those who are able to travel by public transport, cycling or walking are strongly encouraged to do so.”

If travelling by car, the council is asking drivers to consider the park and ride facility in Pentwyn, or the park and stride facility from County Hall in Cardiff Bay.

There are also a number of car parks across the city centre nearby the main shops, including:

■■St David’s shopping centre; ■■NCP car park on Westgate Street;

■■John Lewis car park; ■■NCP car park Cardiff Rapports;

■■ Cardiff council also has a number of car parks across the city.