Sutton shopping centre Idlewells has implemented a range of measures to combat Covid-19 as a number of non-essential stores prepare to reopen their doors from Monday, 15th June, in line with the latest government guidelines.

Idlewells has already imposed some measures during lockdown, including queuing markers for essential shops, upgraded cleaning regimes and a one-way system throughout the centre.

Footfall is expected to increase with the news that non-essential stores can start to reopen their doors from Monday 15th June and procedures are now being heightened in order to maintain a safe shopping environment for the local community.

This includes opening all entrances to the centre along with the car park, with security staff restricting numbers at each entrance to maintain social distancing. Each store will have its own queuing system with 2-metre floor markers and hand sanitiser will be available upon entering Idlewells and the majority of its shops – with store staff asking customers to apply it before entering.

All retailers within the centre have conducted their own risk assessments and will implement control measures specific to their business. Shoppers can expect to see plastic screens at till points separating staff and shoppers.

In some instances, retailers will be serving customers directly from the store entrance, establishing click and collect points or offering timed appointments for shopping.

Toilet facilities will remain closed and lifts will only be accessible for wheelchair or pushchair users.

Customers will also be required to keep to the left when using staircases and walking through the malls and the central atrium – with a strict one-way system in plac.

Centre manager Chloe O’Donnell said: “Throughout lockdown and as restrictions have started to ease, we’ve continued to adapt our measures in line with the latest government and Public Health England advice – providing the safest environment possible for the local community.

“I must thank everyone who has shopped with us during lockdown for their continued cooperation as we’ve adapted to the new normal.”

Not all stores at Idlewells will reopen from 15th June, with some non-essential shops and the majority of food and drink venues remaining closed.

Chloe added: “If people are visiting for a specific shop then we ask them to check our website and ring in advance for information about which stores are open. A range of FAQs have also been added to our website for answers to specific queries.

“If people feel ill either before or during a visit to the centre and suspect they have symptoms of COVID, then we politely ask them to remain at home and self isolate to avoid spreading the virus,”

“Our team is on hand in the centre and will be wearing high visibility jackets if anyone needs assistance. We do ask visitors to be patient and to please follow the queuing and social distancing guidelines in order to maintain a safe environment for everyone. For those wanting to avoid queues during peak times, we recommend visiting after 2pm because this tends to be our quietest period.

“Contactless payment is being encouraged in stores where possible to reduce transmission of the virus, with the spending limit increased to £40 in most shops. Our car park machines also accept contactless payment methods, so we ask people to use this unless they have no alternative. We’ve also invested in a fogging machine to sterilise public spaces. It is effective against all enveloped viruses and numerous strains of coronavirus – including COVID-19.”

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