Delight for Peterborough’s shopping centres as shoppers flock to re-opening

Shopping mall managers have praised thousands of customers who flocked to Peterborough’s retail centres as they re-opened after the 12 week lockdown closure.

Some shoppers queued for more than an hour to get into their favourite stores as Peterborough’s Queensgate shopping centre, in the heart of the city, and at Serpentine Green, at Hampton, threw open their doors after the Government gave the green light to non- essential retailers to start trading again.

But the coronavirus pandemic has imposed a new look on the retail experience with social distancing and hygiene top of the agenda for centre bosses as they try to help stop the spread of the virus

It meant shoppers were greeted by the sight of centre staff wearing face shields and gloves, social distancing signage at almost every turn and a ready supply of hand sanitisers.

The changes meant shopping centre bosses could not be sure that customers would be willing to return in large numbers.

But Mark Broadhead, Centre Director at Queensgate Shopping Centre, where 28 stores plus eight in the adjoining Westgate Arcade opened, said: “It has been wonderful to start to welcome back our shoppers, as we support non-essential retailers reopening at Queensgate Shopping Centre.

“Spirits have been very high, and I’m delighted to see people being patient and respectful towards each other whilst observing social distancing guidelines.

“I’m also pleased to see excellent safety measures in place within our retailers, making it safe and comfortable for people to enjoy their shopping experience.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to our staff, our retailers and our shoppers, this has been a challenging time and we’re positive we’ll get through this together.”

A spokesperson for Serpentine Green said: “We’re really pleased with how well our shoppers are responding to the extra measures we have taken to help keep everybody safe while at Serpentine Green, which include new one-way systems.

“It’s been great to see so many shoppers return to us today, however we are of course carefully managing visitor numbers so we can be confident that everyone can maintain social distancing.

She added: “Where stores are particularly busy, some of our shoppers are being asked to queue considerately in designated areas outside.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our shoppers for following the new guidance in place, and to our colleagues for working incredibly hard behind-the-scenes to help shoppers to have a safe and enjoyable experience.”