Sutton-in-Ashfield-based shopping centre Idlewells has thanked staff and customers for their collective response to coronavirus and is looking to share positive news with the community by putting the spotlight on local unsung heroes.

A handful of stores remain open at the centre during the lockdown, all of which provide essential supplies. These include Heron Foods, Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, Bargain Buys and Specsavers, as well as The Fruitarian and Colledge’s Butchers, Larvin’s Larder and Nigel’s Fresh Fish in the indoor market.

All non-essential stores are closed and will remain so until further notice, with this period likely to be in force for at least another two weeks in line with the extended lockdown measures put in place by the government.

The team at Idlewells has restricted access to the centre, with entry only permitted via the bus station entrance. Queuing systems are also in force with distance markers in place outside each store to ensure that social distancing guidelines are being followed by shoppers.

The team at Idlewells has been monitoring the situation on a daily basis to ensure the continued health and safety of its customers and centre manager Chloe O’Donnell said she was grateful to everyone for their collective cooperation and understanding at this very tough time.

“I must extend my sincere thanks to all of our customers. Everyone has been adhering to the social distancing measures superbly well in order to ensure that no one is put at unnecessary risk when visiting the centre,” she said.

“No one could have anticipated the situation we now find ourselves in, so to know that the people of Sutton-in-Ashfield are taking this so seriously means a lot to myself and the team here at Idlewells,”

She added: “It’s also important to recognise the tremendous efforts of the staff – including those employed by the centre and those manning essential shops that have remained open. These key workers are risking their own health and safety on a daily basis to make sure that people can still access essential supplies during lockdown and I take my hat off to them for their continued professionalism and commitment to the cause.

“The local community has once again pulled together and shown that it can dig deep when called upon.”

Idlewells is now reaching out to the local community on social media during the coronavirus lockdown to encourage people to share positive stories with each other and stay connected despite the physical distance placed between them.

“It’s easy for people to feel isolated right now and swamped with the negative headlines we’re seeing on a daily basis,” Chjloe said.

“So, with such a strong community around us, we want to find a way to bring people together in order to make them feel part of something positive. We’re asking the local community to share its lockdown stories with us on Facebook either by posting on our page or by tagging us in their messages.

“We would especially love to hear from any unsung heroes, frontline workers or NHS staff who have happy and encouraging stories to tell. We will be sharing the best ones with our followers over the coming weeks.

“Understandably, the coronavirus outbreak is constantly changing and evolving. Although our centre remains largely closed for now, we would ask people to keep checking our website and social media channels for updates about changes to our opening hours, policies and restrictions in place in relation to COVID-19.”

To find out more about Idlewells Shopping Centre, visit https://www.idlewells.co.uk