Look inside Gunwharf Quays as shops prepare to reopen with social distancing and queues

Measures to ensure people keep their distance when more than 50 stores reopen include a one-way system.

Vernon Gate will now be the entrance, while the exit will be the path under the railway to The Hard.

Social-distancing champions will be in the leisure and retail complex, answering questions and ensuring people stick to the rules.

Stores will be monitored ‘very closely’ with limited capacity.

Sections of the centre that get too busy will be paused to improve the flow of people through the site.

Watch our video at the top of the page to see what Gunwharf Quays looks like ahead of the reopening.

‘We will have a queuing system should the centre reach its capacity,’ centre director Colin Wilding said.

'We will be asking our customers to queue.

'Clearly we’d like to keep those queues to a minimum if at all possible.’

He added stores will be monitored ‘very closely’ with limited capacity.

‘There may be some queuing outside the stores,’ he said.

The centre will have a fixed capacity throughout the week, and restricted car parking spaces.

Mr Wilding said: ‘We may have to ask people to stop at certain parts of the centre to allow that particular part of the centre to ease and flow through.

‘We'll have to have a look on the day to see the flow and how people move around the centre.

‘Whatever we do will be to protect the health and safety of our customers.’

SEE ALSO: Gunwharf Quays announces changes for when it reopens

People are encouraged to follow the site’s social media pages and website for shop openings and details of how busy the centre is at any given time.

Mr Wilding added: ‘We'll be changing our entrance and exit for Gunwharf Quays so that the entrance will now be Vernon Gate.

‘The exit will be under the railway out to The Hard. As our customers enter the centre they’ll notice there’s a one-way system around the centre as well.

‘We'll be asking our customers to follow some very clear signage that is apparent on the floor of the centre, which will show them the path we would like them to take, along with the distancing that they will be able to adhere to.

‘We will also be restricting the number of people coming into the centre.

‘That will be a combination of a restricted car park capacity and also a restricted number in total.

‘Our reason for that is to ensure there’s plenty of space when our customers do come into the centre to allow them to adhere to the guidelines of the minimum distance of two metres, and flow around the centre safely.

‘We’re also going to be providing a number of hand sanitiser units around the centre as well, should they wish to use them.

‘I think that the signage around the centre just encouraging people to follow a certain path, we think it’s very clear.’

He added: ‘Our social distancing champions will be around the centre in high-vis jackets.

‘They’ll be very clear to people so if they have any queries or if they’re unsure on where to go or if they're unsure of any of the routes then there’s plenty of people around to help and advise.’

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