Shopping centre set for reopening
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 hugely popular spot is set to see thousands of shoppers return once non-essential stores reopen on April 12.
The centre’s team is “very much looking forward to opening our doors again” and will manage the number of shoppers “closely”.
Some high street retailers have already revealed their plans, including Primark, Ikea, and McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Bridgend.
Now St David’s, which recently marked its 40th anniversary, has revealed what shoppers can expect when they head back when it reopens on April 12.
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 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 on April 12, but asked shoppers to keep an eye on its website for information.
St David’s centre director James Waugh said: “The entire team here at St David’s is looking forward to welcoming our brand partners and guests back. The health and safety of everyone who visits our centre is our number one priority, as it has been throughout this crisis and we continue to follow the Government’s guidelines.
“Our teams are incredibly experienced in keeping the centre safe and located clean. We’d like to remind everyone that it’s a legal requirement for all guests coming into the centre to wear a face covering. And one-way systems, signs and floor stickers are there to keep everyone safe.
“We’ll again be managing the capacity of the centre closely, and at busier times you may be asked to queue outside. Please visit our website and social channels for the most up to date information before setting off.
“We’re very much looking forward to opening our doors again and welcoming people back for a safe and enjoyable experience at St David’s.”
It comes as a number of big stores across Cardiff have closed down since the last lockdown, including the much-loved Debenhams.
Monday, March 22, marked the beginning of the phased reopening of non-essential retail when supermarkets could start selling previously banned items.
Restrictions on the sale of items were lifted for stores that remained open throughout the lockdown and garden centres re-opened for the firsttime this year. In an interview with our website WalesOnline, First Minister Mark Drakeford explained the reason behind the phased return of retail.
Answering a question about why supermarkets can sell non-essential items before non-essential stores can reopen, he said that “shops that are open already are already compliant with all the rules that we require here in Wales”.
Adding: “They are already operating in a way that limits the number of people that can go into a shop and the way people are directed in the premises.
“But other non-essential retail stores will now have three weeks to bring staff back from furlough and restock where they need to in order to make sure that they can operate in line with the rules that are now in Wales.”