Distancing in shops ‘for a year’
As many stores reopen, there are worries over safety rules and reduced demand
YORKSHIRE RETAILERS are warning that social distancing measures could be in place for as long as a year as vast swathes of the region’s shops reopen for the first time in weeks.
Today marks the day when non-essential retail stores can officially open after being closed since March to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Figures obtained by The Yorkshire Post show that 60 per cent of stores in Leeds planned to open today, with similar numbers expected in Bradford.
Strict social distancing protocols will need to be observed by all stores with shoppers required to enter stores in smaller numbers, something one leading retail expert warned would put many independent outlets at risk of reduced revenues.
Research by the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce suggests that 41 per cent of retailers in the region expect social distancing will be required for the next six months, with a further 43 per cent expecting this to continue for up to a year, something retail bosses warn will inevitably impact on revenues.
Mark Goldstone, head of policy at the chamber, said: “The latest research suggests that businesses are looking to take a ‘safety first’ approach to reopening with nearly three-quarters planning to have measures in place for the safe movement of customers and the general public for at least the next three to 12 months.
“As we enter the recovery phase, it is vital that businesses continue to follow official guidance and ensure that safe working practices are in place; in the meantime we are continuing to feed market intelligence back to local and central government to advise and guide future policy interventions in order to facilitate safe economic growth.”
There are also concerns over
Measures for safe movement of customers for 3-12 months. Mark Goldstone, head of policy at the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
demand, with the public reluctant to brave the shops for fear of the virus or to travel on public transport to reach towns and cities. Figures published today by the British Retail Consortium showed that footfall decreased by 81.6 per cent in May, due to the mandatory lockdown.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), saidshops typically will need to take 70 per cent of the sales they were experiencing prior to Covid-19 simply to break even. He said that Bira expected 90 per cent of its members would reopen this week but remained concerned. “Yes they are going to reopen but there is a lot of nervousness about future trading levels given social distancing and the shopping behaviours we have seen during the lockdown period.
“You have got screens, you have got reorganisation of the shop floor to allow people to move around, you have got hand sanitizer everywhere – it is not without its challenges.”
He added: “Reopening is only the first step. We expect footfall to be lower. If you limit your capacity in your shop you limit your sales as well.”
He added that the Covid-19 outbreak could not have come at a worse time as independent retailers staged a “mini fightback” at the end of last year with more stores opening than closing.
CIVIC LEADERS have a real challenge on their hands to reassure people that it’s safe to go back into town and city centres as the Government eases restrictions on non-essential businesses, according to a senior legal figure.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post,
Steve Crow, pictured, business development director at Leedsbased law firm Clarion, said there was a lot of work to be done to create a feeling of safety for both employees and customers.
“The Government has done a very good job of scaring us witless so that we’ve all done the right thing and stayed at home,” he said.
He added: “The challenge now is how do you reassure people that it’s safe to come back into our towns and city centres?”
Councils say they have been working with businesses, partners and stakeholders in the cities to implement measures ahead of nonessential businesses reopening today.
In Leeds, measures include widening pedestrian areas where possible, emergency trial pop-up cycle lanes, information signs, one-way systems through shopping centres and shops, and hand sanitiser stations. The council has issued guidance to support businesses to operate safely, including ways to manage safe queuing systems.
A new council team of ‘city centre ambassadors’ will be on hand in the city centre to help the public, while other teams will offer assistance to keep people safe. Some toilets in the city centre will be open, while parking in all council-managed car parks remains free of charge until at least July 4.
Capacity on public transport is limited due to social distancing measures.
Chief executive of LeedsBID, Andrew Cooper, said: “Retailers and city centre managers have been preparing behind the scenes for some time to ensure that when reopening takes place people can enjoy a safe experience in their favourite shops in Leeds city centre.
“In these challenging times it has been great to see the positive and collaborative endeavours of retailers, landlords and street teams working together as Leeds reopens.” Sarah Taylor, partner and head of Clarion’s regulatory team, added: “The retail industry has been working hard to get this right and it’s clear that cooperation between retailers, landlords and the council will continue to be important, especially in terms of managing the queues that may result from control of customer numbers in store.”
She said that the main challenge would be maintaining twometre social distancing.
“For now, the retail experience may look and feel different to what we’re used to.
“Retailers will hope that the obvious changes in layout and organisation in-store will help to reassure shoppers as they return to the city centre,” she said.
Retailers have been preparing behind the scenes for some time.
Andrew Cooper, chief executive of LeedsBID.