Portsmouth shopping centres prepare for reopening following government announcement

At the government’s daily briefing yesterday, business secretary Alok Sharma confirmed plans for non-essential retail to reopen on June 15.

The caveat of this is that shops must adhere to social distancing rules, and have the appropriate guidelines in place.

In the wake of the announcement, it was confirmed that Ocean Retail Park in Portsmouth and Meridian Shopping Centre in Havant will both be reopening next Monday.

Rob Fryer, manager of Meridian Shopping Centre, said: ‘We know the importance of getting these [social distancing] measures right, which is why we have implemented robust plans to ensure the safety of our visitors when the centre reopens.’

Zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas will also be allowed to reopen on the same day.

The news after Marwell Zoo in Hampshire was forced to launch a crowdfunding campaign to maintain the welfare of animals while the zoo is closed to the public.

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