Plymouth’s large Drake Circus Shopping Centre is due to fully open on June 15 with stringent social distancing measures in place, even if not all the shops inside are trading.
Bosses at the , one of the largest in the South West, are putting measures in place including queues and a “traffic light” system for shops.
Shoppers are being warned to be patient as social distancing will be strictly enforced and that means they may have to wait in line as the number of people inside the building will be “limited”.
A “one-way” system around the mall will be introduced and some shops will only be allowing a certain number of people in at any one time.
Much of the shopping complex closed on March 23 when the country was ordered to go into lockdown. Only the “essential” stores, selling food and medicines, were allowed to stay open. These included Boots, Holland and Barrett and M&S.
But with the Government allowing “non-essential” stores to reopen on Monday, June 15, the mall will be taking the barriers down, though replacing them with measures to help keep customers and staff safe.
But some retailers will remain closed for the time being, Drake Circus bosses said, and many have adapted their opening hours to support the safe return to work of their staff. They are recommending shoppers check stores are open in advance before setting off from home.
To help maintain social distancing, the Drake Circus team will be limiting the number of visitors into the centre to make sure everyone can reasonably maintain a 2m distance.
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In means the centre’s staff may need to ask visitors to wait in a queue outside, or temporarily close access to the mall and its car parks should demand peak.
Drake Circus Shopping Centre will also be implementing a one-way, “keep right’”system that will direct how shoppers move around the centre, as well as allocating specific “in” or “exit” only entrances. Signs have been installed throughout the mall to help shoppers follow the new guidelines.
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A number of stores will be trialing a “traffic light” system which uses red and green signals to indicate if visitors are able to enter or not, depending on capacity. If a store is displaying a red sign, visitors are asked to keep moving throughout the centre.
Cyclists can make use of the bike racks on Cornwall Street outside the M&S Foodcourt entrance, and there are also bike racks available on Level-2 of The Barcode in the lift lobby.
Enhanced hygiene and cleaning regimes will continue to be in place, with hand sanitising stations available to shoppers at all of the mall’s entrances and exits, as well as on key touchpoints throughout the mall.
To help keep staff and visitors safe, Plexiglass screens have been fitted at all visitor desks and the Drake Circus team will also be provided with suitable PPE, including gloves and face masks.
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Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus Shopping Centre, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Drake Circus, although we’re clearly not back to ‘business as usual’ just yet.”
Mr Lumley added: “In line with the latest Government guidance, we have been working incredibly hard behind-the-scenes to put extra safety and hygiene measures in place.
“Because of this, things may look a little different when you next visit us, so please plan ahead and keep an eye out for new signage when you arrive.”
He said the Drake Circus team is also asking visitors to play their part in keeping everyone safe by respectfully following the new guidance and systems in place.