A town centre is preparing to welcome back the shoppers as lockdown eases.
So-called non-essential shops can reopen from Monday after almost three months of lockdown, as long as staff and customers will be safe.
In King’s Lynn, precautions include pavement widening using barriers, floor stickers and one way systems to ensure social distancing.
Market stalls have also been relocated from the pedestrianised town centre to the Tuesday Market Place, to free up extra space.
MORE - Customers return as Artertons’ reopensGraham Middleton, West Norfolk council’s cabinet member for business, said: “Retailers are working hard to ensure their premises are Covid secure so that they can offer customers a safe shopping environment. They are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new. It is vital for the local economy that people support our local businesses if they can.”
Mr Middleton said shoppers should think ahead and try to avoid the busiest times between 10am and 1pm.
They should also bring hand sanitiser, tissues and face coverings with them and be prepared to prepare to pay with contactless methods, including the council’s cashless parking app.
Mr Middleton added: “We also ask that people come prepared to queue, or to walk round the block a second time to avoid queuing across neighbouring stores or blocking the paths or highways, to follow the social distancing guidelines and to listen to instructions from staff in various shops. We are also asking people to keep left as they walk round the main shopping ares. Signage and floor stickers will be in place to remind people.
“We, along with retailers are putting these measures in place to protect us all, so please be patient and respectful as it will take some time for new arrangements to bed in and be monitored and adjusted in line with changes to guidance.”
Hospitality premises, hairdressers, beauty salons, theatres and cinemas remain closed at this time awaiting further guidance from Government.
MORE - Some pubs could reopen this monthDiscover King’s Lynn, the town’s business improvement district (BID), is supporting traders preparing to reopen.
BID manager Vicky Etheridge said: “We’re providing a free package of signs and floor stickers for KL BID levy payers to use in their premises. We are also putting on webinars for each sector to help draw up a risk assessment for their business and make sure that they are Covid-safe and ready to reopen.
“We want to support our businesses through this difficult time, and at the same time encourage shoppers into the town by demonstrating that we have done everything we can to make the area Covid secure. We are now asking people planning to come back into town from June 15 to follow the guidance and respect the advice being given.”
MORE - Less on shelves as charity shops get set to reopenAlistair Cox, Vancouver Quarter manager, said: “Our preparations for the reopening are well under way. Shopping safely, providing social distancing guidance and ensuring our centre is Covid-secure is an essential part of the careful but deliberate steps that will help shoppers feel safe and welcome.
“We all are adapting to the new normal and we ask shoppers to appreciate that the measures being put in place are to keep everyone safe .”
Forthcoming dates for webinars for BID levy payers are:
- Wednesday 10 June at 10.00 - hair & beauty,
- Thursday 18 June, 10.00- hospitality.
E-mail info@discoverkingslynn.com to book a place.
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