Play your part as centre:mk reopens

As the remaining stores begin to re-open in line with the easing of Government restrictions, centre:mk looks forward to welcoming back shoppers from the 15^th June 2020. With stores such as Primark, Next, M&S, John Lewis, TK Maxx and many more scheduled to fully re-open over the next few weeks, the centre is looking forward to shoppers reuniting with their favourite brands.

centre:mk has been planning its phased re-opening for a number of weeks while working closely with the 190 retailers in the centre to put a health and wellbeing protocol in place, which reminds shoppers to ‘play your part’.

The ‘play your part’ guidance focuses on more than just social distancing. As the number of customers entering the centre is set to increase from the 15^th June, the ‘play your part’ guidance includes a range of measures targeted at ensuring customers can return with confidence. These measures are an essential part of the careful but deliberate steps that the centre is taking in order to rebuild the local economy.

The ’play your part’ measures have been trialled throughout the centre and enable easy social distancing at all times with one-way traffic systems clearly marked out around the centre and within stores. Visibly marked out on signage throughout the centre, including all 18 entrances, shoppers can familiarise themselves with the current changes to ensure everyone can get the most out of their visit.

As Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk explains, “We have missed so many of our guests over the past few weeks and I am pleased to say we are now getting ready to welcome them back”.

Providing social distancing guidance and ensuring the centre is COVID-secure allows for safe shopping. Guidance messages around the centre are simple and easy to follow, and the centre are asking all visitors to help by following them.

centre:mk has 18 sets of doors, which will be held open and used for either entry or exit. A one-way, keep left system will be in operation, with clear markers on the floor indicating which way to walk and capacities are being monitored throughout the day. Stores may need to ask customers to wait to enter – being patient and waiting in the areas indicated will ensure they gain access as quickly as possible. centre:mk is advising that although they are open from 9am – 8pm every day, store opening times may vary. The website, centremk.com, will update on individual store hours, while social channels will be announcing store openings.

Toilets and Guest Services will be open, but customers are being asked to check centremk.com for full details of the guest services available, how to book mobility scooters and for regular updates. If travelling by car, visitors should park as close to the shops they want to visit as they can, using both the surface level and multi-storey car parks.

With hundreds of store staff returning to the centre on 15^th June, retailers are looking forward to welcoming customers back who have eagerly awaited the re-opening of the centre. For many, this will be the first time they have made the journey to the centre in 12 weeks.

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director added, “As a community we have come a long way, thanks to the hard work of all the wonderful key workers, retail staff and centre team who are also our friends and family. It’s important that we respect and protect all of their hard work by observing this guidance and we are looking forward to seeing you all soon.”