North East furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse is preparing to reopen all its of stores at the beginning of June, bolstered by demand from customers and strong online sales during lockdown.
The family-owned firm has been preparing its 11 stores, including its flagship Teesside Retail Park shop in Stockton, ready to welcome in customers while following the Government’s further easing of lockdown restrictions.
A series of safety measures are being installed to protect customers and staff, including new one-way systems throughout stores, signage to remind visitors of social distancing guidelines, hand sanitiser stations and perspex screens installed at each pay point for added protection.
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Additional cleaners have been drafted in to ensure that all surfaces are regularly disinfected and all store staff will wear PPE.
An online booking system is also available for customers wanting one-to-one meetings with advisors, which will start at Teesside Park, Guildford and Knaresborough stores first. Customer toilets and coffee stations will remain closed for the time being.
There will be limits on the number of customers allowed in store but due to the size of the stores, the firm doesn’t anticipate the need for outside queuing.
Two-man delivery teams will also be wearing PPE and the company’s delivery fleet is being fitted with Perspex separators between driver and passenger. For those vans that have not been modified, the team will travel in separate vehicles.
Managing director James Barker said: “The gradual easing of lockdown measures is a relief for everyone in the retail industry and we’ve been delighted to be getting many customer enquiries asking us when we will re-open our stores.
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“That’s why our team has been working around the clock over the last few weeks to build innovative new systems, such as a new online booking system for those who want one-to-one advice in a safe environment, and to ensure a comprehensive array of protective measures are in each of our stores. We now have sector-leading safety measures in place and look forward to safely opening our doors to customers again on June 1."
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The retailer has also devised a campaign, entitled Let’s Get Going Britain, to help get British furniture manufacturing back into production.
Mr Barker said: “We have actively set out our stall to support our British manufacturers and help them get their teams off furlough. I am championing them because they are a great resource for our country and the quality of what they make is world-leading.
“We’ve done this by honouring previous orders and paying all our suppliers on time and making sure they are front and centre of our re-opening sales push.
“What this has resulted in however, is a mountain of stock in our warehouses, which are literally full to the brim. This stockpile will have to be sold at clear-out prices to make way for other orders that are still coming in.
““In return, now that we’re re-opening, these same manufacturers are giving us some absolutely amazing offers and delivery terms to help us quickly meet our customers’ needs and to get their order books full again.
“By looking out for each other everybody wins. When we re-open it will benefit everyone: we will be able to deliver very quickly; customers will get uniquely low prices for very high quality products; and our many talented furniture making suppliers can get back to work.”