Most garden centres in Peterborough to reopen tomorrow but customers warned of strict social distancing measures

Dobbies Garden Centre, in Phorpres Way, Peterborough, and at Banks End, Huntingdon, Cherry Lane – The Barn, in Gunthorpe Road, Paston, and Notcutts, in Oundle Road, Ham Lane, will throw open their doors for the first time after seven weeks of enforced lockdown closure.

The move comes after the Government announced that garden centres would be included in the first tranche of businesses allowed to reopen as ministers start to ease the lockdown.

And customers are being reassured that strict social distancing measures will be in place at the centres.

Store bosses at Dobbies say a limit will be placed on the number of customers allowed in the store at any one time.

Its restaurants and soft plays will remain temporarily closed but the centre will offer a takeaway menu including hot and cold drinks, soups, toasties, panini and selected bakery items from May 15.

A store spokesman said: “The safety of team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority and social distancing measures have been implemented to allow the stores to operate safely.

“There will be a limited number of customers permitted in the stores at one time.

“A queuing system will be in operation outside the stores, with two metre markers in place to help maintain social distancing.

“Hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations will be available at all store entrances.”

In addition, protective screens have been installed at tills and customers will be asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible.

Appropriate PPE has been provided for team members who will also receive training and regular briefings on how to keep themselves and customers safe.

The spokesman said that rigorous daily hygiene routines will continue throughout the stores.

Graeme Jenkins, chief executive of Dobbies, which plans to open all its 54 English stores tomorrow, said: “We have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by the Government, British Retail Consortium and Horticultural Trade Association to reopen responsibly.

“Our team is well prepared, social distancing measures are in place and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our stores across Cambridgeshire and across England.

“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”

At Cheery Lane - The Barn, its group operations director, Karl Ottolangui, said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen on Wednesday and welcome our customers back.

“We have carefully studied how other essential retailers have handled social distancing to allow them to reopen while keeping staff and customers safe.

“The measures we now have in place follow best practice, and the advice of the government and the British Retail Consortium.”

The garden centre has created a designated queuing area outside the store.

Markers are being placed at two metre intervals to help customers respect each other’s personal space. 

The centre also has two metre floor markers inside, and all checkouts are provided with protective plastic screens.

The café will not be open at this stage.

Jamie Morris, manager at Cherry Lane – The Barn, said: “All of the team here at Cherry Lane are very excited to be back and serving our customers again.

“People are spending a lot of time in their gardens at the moment, so we are ensuring we are fully stocked and looking forward to being able to supply all our customers’ needs.

“However, for the safety of our customers and staff, we do ask you to bear with us if you have to queue, and obey the social distancing procedures we have in place, as we are limiting the number of customers in the centre at any one time.

“We are providing cleaning stations for our trolleys, encouraging contactless or card payments and asking customers to shop alone if at all possible.”

In announcement on its website, Notcutts states it intends to open on Wednesday.