// The Mall centres to reopen from June 15 as preparations take place
// The centres’ leisure and dining facilities will remain closed until further notice
The Mall owner Capital & Regional (C&R) has announced it is preparing to reopen its seven shopping centres in England from June 15.
The centres due to reopen are The Mall Wood Green, The Mall Walthamstow and Exchange Ilford, as well as The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead, The Mall Maidstone, The Mall Luton and The Mall Blackburn.
The centres’ leisure and dining facilities will remain closed unless solely operating a takeaway or delivery service.
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All of C&R’s shopping centres have remained open since lockdown measures were introduced on March 23.
This next phase of reopening non-essential retail is due to be conducted in a safe and controlled manner, with measures implemented to ensure strict adherence to government guidelines.
C&R said it has undertaken extensive planning and consultation with local authorities, retailers and service providers to ensure the health and wellbeing of shoppers and staff.
Access to the centres will be closely monitored through additional staff and the usage of existing footfall technology, with visitor capacity carefully controlled to maintain social distancing and to protect visitors, occupiers and staff.
If the density of shoppers rises to levels that may prevent social distancing, access to the centre will be reduced or temporarily stopped.
“Our priority now is ensuring that everyone in our centres feels as safe as possible in the knowledge that we have taken every possible measure to protect their health and wellbeing as more of our retailers re-open stores,” C&R chief executive Lawrence Hutchings said.
“We have supplied each of our centre teams and occupiers with robust guidelines in line with those issued by the government, and will be carefully controlling visitor capacity to maintain social distancing.”
C&R customer experience director Sara Jennings said: “Since the government lockdown announced on 23 March, communication among our teams to adapt our operations in line with government guidance, and with our retailers, local authorities and guests, has been paramount to ensuring that we can continue to support our communities to the highest possible standards.”
“With the pivotal role our centres serve in local communities, we do not underestimate the importance of maintaining clear and consistent communication as we enter this first phase of reopening stores, and will be using our centre websites and social media channels to keep our guests informed about the safest times to shop.
“By staying alert through our own in-centre footfall technology and by continuing to monitor the latest government guidance, we are ready to quickly adapt our plans as and when further advice is issued.”
Some of the precautionary measures within C&R’s centres include:
• Enhanced deep cleaning, sanitising stations at key locations and PPE for all centre employees
• Arrows and signage in common areas to encourage directional flow and a ‘keep left’ discipline, as well as providing distancing reminders.
• Limiting numbers of people in toilet facilities, escalators, stairs and lifts at any one time.
• Removal of most public seating to discourage congregation and close contact [but with some left available for the elderly and disabled only
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