Shops gearing up for big reopening take raft of precautions following coronavirus pandemic

A raft of precautions have been taken to make sure customers and staff are safe as shops throw open their doors next Monday after nearly three months of closure.

The News has launched the #supportlocal campaign to encourage shoppers to use local shops in their hour of need after almost three months of lockdown – while encouraging everyone to stay safe.

The reopening of stores following the unprecedented crisis that has seen more 40,000 people die across the UK from Covid-19 has been met by cautious optimism among retailers who are introducing hygiene and social distancing measures.

A number of other stark changes will be seen across a variety of shops - serving as a reminder of the turbulence that has blighted the country as government lockdown restrictions are eased.

Scott Andrews, director of Portsmouth-based home security firm Amberley Security on Copnor Road, said: ‘We are putting screens up at the shop counter to act as a physical separation between staff and the customers.

‘There will be signs on the floor advising people to remain two metres apart. People will have to wear masks and gloves when they are stockside if we need to show them something.

‘First thing in the morning and last thing at night staff will put on hand gel and door handles will be wiped down with anti-bacterial wipe.

‘Keys that are sent in and we send off to customers will be wiped down with Dettol.’

Mr Andrews it had been a ‘challenging’ time with turnover down 90 per cent at one point during lockdown but was raring to open the shop again.

‘The quicker we can get back to normal the better - people have had enough now,’ he said. ‘It’s been a crazy two and a half months.

‘Short of wearing a hazmat suit there’s nothing more we can do. Hopefully Monday will be as close to a normal June day as possible.’

Murat Mustafa, who sells pop culture items at KemPres T-shirts in Fareham Shopping Centre, has introduced a variety of new measures.

He said: ‘I will spray down the counter and will be wearing a face mask. There will be hand sanitiser.

‘If people want to pay by cash that’s fine, I will stand back from the desk and they can put the money down. People can then step back and I place the change on the desk.

‘When people are buying an item they can put it on the desk and I can fold it up or they can put it straight into their bag - but they will have to bring their own bag as I do not have any. Contactless payments via phones are also an option.’

The 44-year-old, who rents space in the shopping centre, raised concerns about the new layout in the precinct.

‘They are putting arrows down on the ground telling people which direction they have to walk which means people will have to walk all the way back round to come to my stall,’ he said.

‘People normally can just walk where they want and stop and have a look but they won’t be able to do that now, especially with people having to stay two metres apart, so that might have an impact on sales.

‘I’m also quite worried about the main public toilets in the shopping centre being closed too so customers and myself will have to go outside.’

James Clay, owner of 19 Computing in Durham Street, Fareham, will be reopening its doors fully again on Monday for computer sales, laptop, tablet and mobile repairs.

He said: ‘There will only be one customer in the shop at a time. We decided to do this because we are a small shop and there would be cross over of customers otherwise.

‘There will be two metre distance queuing outside. Hand sanitiser will be supplied upon entering.

‘We are also putting up sneeze guards for everyone's safety - providing a physical protection between customers and staff. We are only accepting card/Contactless payments or bank transfer.’

He added: ‘It will be nice to reopen and get back to some normality.’

Nigel Raymond, owner of Natures Creations on Brockhurst Road in Gosport, said: ‘We are planning to reopen on Monday and have started advertising the measures that will be in place.

‘There will be two metre distancing and one-way around the shop with hand sanitisers at the door and counters. Our customers are our priority and we hope we can pick up again soon.’

Tim Hurrell, who runs 4pmPrint in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, said: 'We will be reopening on Tuesday and will only be allowing one customer in-store at a time with socially distanced queuing outside.

‘All customers will be required to use the hand sanitiser supplied before entering the store with payment by card or contactless only.

‘The card machine will be wiped down after every use and our shop assistance will sanitise her hands before serving every new customer.

‘The shop counter will also be sanitised at regular intervals during the day. We have also introduced a range of products to help other businesses get back to business safely.’

SEE ALSO: Dispersal order issued by police in Portsmouth

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