Victoria Centre in talks over who can stay open
ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES, CLICK AND COLLECT AND TAKEAWAY FOOD OUTLETS
MEETINGS are being held to discuss what will happen at Nottingham city’s main shopping centre during lockdown.
Among the new restrictions, which will start on Thursday and are expected to last until next month, all non-essential businesses such as retail, hospitality venues, cinemas, gyms and salons must close.
The restrictions mean big changes will be implemented at Nottingham’s Victoria Centre where in the first lockdown there was a partial closure with only some essential stores accessible.
The main entrance to the mall on Upper Parliament Street was closed, but the remaining side entrances were kept open.
Tesco, Boots Pharmacy, Superdrug and One Below, a discount store selling food among its products, were the only businesses able to remain open.
The multi-storey car park and toilets were also closed but residents of the flats still had 24-hour access to their designated lifts. The set-up of the shopping centre during this new lockdown will be announced tomorrow by the centre ahead of the start date for restrictions.
The centre has around 80 stores, many of which would be considered non-essential.
But with the rules being slightly different this time, discussions are ongoing to understand exactly which will have to close.
Nigel Wheatley, centre director at Victoria Centre, said: “Following the latest Government announcement,
we’re talking to all of our retailers and food outlets on an individual basis.
“We’re in the process of establishing those who will remain open to provide essential services, stores that will offer a click and collect service as per the latest guidance, and the food venues that will provide a takeaway service.
“This will allow us to plan logistically for how the centre will operate from this Thursday until December 2, including elements like opening hours, entrance and exit points, and parking.
“We will be in a position to announce details on Wednesday (November 4) via our social channels and the media.
“As always, our priority is to support our retailers and to ensure the centre remains a clean and safe place for those needing to access essential services.
“I’d like to thank our fantastic team at Victoria Centre who are working very hard in challenging circumstances to ensure that this is possible.”