Plymouth’s large indoor market has reopened as “non-essential” shops begin to trade again after almost three months in lockdown.
Shoppers are being welcomed back to the high street from Monday, June 15, and are being asked to support retailers as they reopen – but with measures in place to keep them safe.
And Plymouth City Council stressed people are being advised to wear a face covering if they go somewhere where social distancing might be difficult.
They are also reminding the public that from June 15 face masks will be compulsory on public transport, including the Cremyll Ferry, which connects Plymouth with Cornwall, when it resume services on June 16.
Meanwhile, the large Plymouth Market will reopen from June 15 and is expecting about half of its traders back in business - but with no cafés or nail bars able to open.
There will be a limit on the number of customers allowed in at any one time, although this will be kept under review, the council said.
The entrances at New George Street and Cornwall Street will be closed for now and people will have to go in and out via Market Avenue and the car park entrances. It will open from 9am to 4.30pm.
The city council has been working with the City Centre Company, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, transport operators and businesses on measures to make people feel as safe as possible as more “non-essential shops” open their doors.
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To make sure re-opening of the high street is safe for the public shops have been required to carry out risk assessments before re-opening. They’ve also had to think about arrangements to manage their premises and possible queues outside.
Among Plymouth city centre stores expected to open from Monday, June 15, are House of Fraser, Flannels, Sports Direct, Moss Bros and several in the Drake Circus Shopping Centre, which has also brought in special safety measures.
The mall’s team will be limiting the number of visitors to the centre. Shoppers may need to wait in a queue outside. There will also be a one-way, “keep right” system to direct shoppers around the centre, as well as allocating specific “in” or “exit” only entrances.
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Some stores will be trialling a “traffic light” system which uses red and green signals to indicate if visitors are able to enter or not, depending on capacity.
Enhanced hygiene and cleaning regimes are in place, with hand sanitising stations at all of the Drake Circus’s entrances and exits, as well as on key touchpoints.
Outside on the pavements and lampposts throughout the city centre and waterfront are signs reminding people to keep their distance and there are extra patrols by PARC officers and the police to “offer reassurance and a friendly presence”, the council said.
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The Armada Way toilets remain closed but the single cubicle toilets near the Sundial are open and will be subject to an enhanced cleansing regime. The toilets opposite the Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican are also open.
The street cleansing team will be paying particular attention to bins and seats and the wooden play area figures have been removed.
The council is compiling a list of shops that are expected to open but not all shops will be trading on June 15 as they continue to make sure they are ready to open safely.
City Centre Company chief executive Steve Hughes said: “We are making the city centre as safe as it can be. We have put in safety measures and are asking people to be sensible, follow the guidance and any requests that staff in our shops are asking of them.
“We want to welcome people back, but only when they feel safe and comfortable. These shops are staffed by Plymouth people all making a living. More than ever, it is vital that we support them - it’s helping Plymouth and your friends and neighbours to keep bills paid and food on the table.”
Changes have been made in city centre car parks, with the end of cash payments to prevent the spread of potential infection from coins and notes.
Machines in the multi-storeys now take credit or debit card only, while in other car parks and on-street, people are being encouraged to pay by RingGo, via the mobile phone app, website or by phone.
There is currently a cash option but this being phased out over the coming weeks. There are safe distancing markers around pay facilities, separate staircases designated up and down and an enhanced cleaning regime.