Grimsby’s Freshney Place shopping centre is gearing up to open on Monday, with strict limits and special measures set out.
The precinct will embrace the ‘new normal’ after almost three months of lockdown, with limited access for essential shopping only.
Now, as restrictions lift, rules are in place to maintain safety.
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Both car parks will be closed and there will be strict limits on the number of people who can be in the centre at once, as well as in each individual shop.
A one-way system will also be in operation around the precinct.
All non-essential shops and services were ordered to close on March 23 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered the nationwide lockdown to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
Amanda Austin, Freshney Place centre director said: “We’re delighted to say that we can finally start to open and welcome customers back into the shopping centre.
“Our absolute priority is the safety of everyone and we have been working incredibly hard over the last few months to ensure the centre will operate as effectively as possible whilst following social distancing and increased hygiene measures.”
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Not all services and facilities will be available including straight away, with a dedicated page has been set up on its website to provide information and individual opening hours which will be regularly updated, as not all stores will reopen on Monday.
Mrs Austin said: “We want our customers to be reassured that we have followed government advice and whilst some of the measures in place might cause delays, we do hope the public will be understanding of their purpose, which is to ensure the safety of everyone.
“These are unprecedented times and whilst we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to the centre we have to ask for patience when it comes to shopping, particularly in the first few weeks whilst everyone adapts to these new measures.”
Freshney Place has implemented a number of customer initiatives to ensure social distancing and hygiene measures can be adhered to, these include:
- Heightening of cleaning measures with increased disinfecting of high volume touch points throughout the centre
- Hand sanitising dispensers for visitors at the entrance to the centre as well as those offered in retail units
- One entrance/exit via the Riverhead entrance. All other entrances will be closed
- Numbers entering Freshney Place will be monitored with a queuing system in place at the Riverhead
- A one-way keep left circulation system will operate; this is clearly marked out with floor stickers along the outer edge of the malls
- Each retailer will manage their own customer intake depending on size and layout with queuing systems down the middle of the mall areas
Toilets have been remodelled to enable social distancing and Freshney's soft play area, CollectPlus and Customer Service Desk will remain closed initially.
Both car parks will remain closed initially with the intention to open one in the next few weeks. Food and beverages will only be available to take away.
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To help keep the centre as safe as possible they will also be asking customers:
- Not to visit the centre if they are displaying any Covid-19 or flu like symptoms
- To shop alone if possible
- To respect fellow customers and the centre’s colleagues and keep two metres apart
- Keep to the one-way system
- Use hand sanitisers available in the centre and retail units
- Pay by contactless and on card where possible
- Where possible, only touch what they intend to purchase
- Avoid touching their face and cover up if they sneeze