Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said he was thrilled that more seating will be added to the Idlewells Shopping Centre, Sutton, after meeting with centre manager Chloe O’Donnell to discuss concerns raised with him by residents.

Pensioners contacted the MP saying the distance between seats was too far for many of them to walk.

Seating had been removed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but Chloe had become aware this was having an unintended consequence.

The pair agreed that more seating had to be brought back but signage should be displayed advising that seats were for the elderly or infirm. Part of the seating would be cordoned off to maintain social distancing.

Lee Anderson said: “This is great news. Once the shops reopened I was inundated with residents complaining about the lack of seating at Idlewells. Many told me they would avoid the centre unless more seating was brought back.

“Our traders really need shoppers to visit the centre so I raised the issue with the manager immediately. We came up with a way to get more seating but in a safe way. The seating is for people who need it so I would ask people to comply with the signage stating this.”

Small Business Saturday saw a steady footfall in the shopping centre – something the manager and MP hoped to see more of in the run up to Christmas. He said social distancing was in place with shops and customers adhering to Government Covid-19 guidelines.

Lee Anderson is pictured, left, with Chloe O’Donnell, right, and shop owners.