Chantry Centre prepares to welcome shoppers back
Chantry Centre retailers are ready and raring to welcome back shoppers later this month after the Government announced the further easing of lockdown restrictions.
From Monday 15 June some non-essential shops and libraries will be allowed to reopen to the public. Test Valley Borough Council has been busy installing extensive safety measures throughout the indoor shopping mall to protect visitors and staff.
During the lockdown period five retailers remained open for essential shopping with social distancing measures in place. These measures have now been expanded to accommodate an increase in shoppers and support businesses as they prepare to reopen.
The council is introducing a new entry and exit system at each main door and a one-way system inside the centre to help visitors to maintain social distancing. The authority also is also installing extensive signage, queue management measures and hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the building, to help keep people safe.
The council is expecting these increased safety measures to be funded from the European Regional Development Fund, through the HM Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said “The reopening of shops in the town centre is vital in helping the local economy to recover and this is a really positive step forward. But public health and safety remains paramount, which is why we have implemented a number of new measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.
“We will continue to review social distancing measures in place to ensure the Chantry Centre’s visitors and the staff can shop and work in a safe environment.”