Safe shopping guidelines, increased hygiene practices and regular communication with customers are just some of the measures that form part of the reopening plan at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre.
While some stores and facilities have remained open at Willow Brook during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the full centre hasn’t been accessible due to the need to adhere to the government’s lockdown rules.
Now, as restrictions are relaxed, the centre has released plans of how Willow Brook will operate as more stores begin to reopen.
The key points of the plan are:
- All customers for Tesco will use the Bradley Stoke Way end of the mall (by Giant)
- Customers for other internal stores and business will use the Car Park entrance (by Timpson)
- All customers will leave the mall into the town square (by Costa)
- Individual businesses, both inside and outside the mall building, will have queues put in place as required
- Customers will be urged to shop alone wherever possible
Willow Brook staff are being trained to support customers as they make their way around the shops and the centre, without confusion.
Those visitors with appointments at businesses such as Specsavers, Ocean, Willow Brook Clinic, MyDentist, Reed, Vision Express, CJ Hole or Reflections will be able to move to the front of the queue at the car park entrance and will be allowed access as soon as mall numbers allow.
Willow Brook centre manager Andy Wynn said:
“We’ll do our best to keep things moving as quickly and smoothly as possible, but it’s worth allowing yourself a little extra time – even for booked appointments as government guidelines dictate that we should limit numbers.”
Signage, tannoy messages and increased information on social media regarding social distancing measures will aim to keep everyone aware and informed about procedures around the centre.
This also includes reducing ‘touch points’ such as push bins and ensuring there are additional hand sanitising stations.
Andy added:
“As we adapt to the new regulations and measures, we are encouraging people to follow the government guidance and visit Willow Brook alone, as and when possible. In return we’ll do all we can to ensure that the centre is safe, clean and convenient to use.”
Events cancelled
As with the majority of activities and gatherings planned for 2020, Willow Brook has taken the difficult decision to cancel its own events this year.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but the safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance. Plus, we don’t know what the official guidelines will be yet for running such events and they are planned a long way in advance,” said Andy.
Update (10th June 2020)
“To help customers with mobility issues, from Monday 15th June, the Tesco queue will have a number of spots where customers can sit for a break whilst the queuing.” [Source: Willow Brook Centre]
Update (12th June 2020)
“The Tesco ‘elderly and vulnerable people hour’ (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 10am) will remain in place and will use the Car Park entrance (by Timpson)” [Source: Willow Brook Centre]
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When does Card Factory open?
@Gwyn Williams, At the time of writing, no specific information relating to the reopening of Card Factory has been released by the Willow Brook Centre.