Peterborough’s Queensgate centre poised to re-open with longer shopping hours

The city’s retail hub is hoping lengthier trading hours from December 2 will help customers to spread out their festive shopping.

The news comes as the Queensgate Shopping Centre prepares for the safe re-opening of non-essential retail as the national month-long lockdown is lifted.

It will mean the centre will be open on weekdays from 9am to 8pm and from 9am to 7pm on Saturdays and between 10.30am and 4.30pm on Sundays.

The longer hours will run through to January 2.

But customers are being warned that the number of people inside Queensgate centre will continue to be monitored and that all shoppers will be reminded at entry that face coverings should be worn in the centre, unless people can show they are exempt in line with Government guidance.

Centre Director Mark Broadhead said: “Safety is, and has always been, our absolutely priority and we have taken on board comments from our shoppers to ensure they feel confident when visiting us.

“Whilst we are excited to be able to reopen again for non-essential retailers, the safety of all our shoppers, retailers and staff is our first thought.

“We can control the cleanliness of the centre and provide additional measures such as hand sanitiser and regular messaging but we need the public to do their part too, and that includes keeping their face covered up.”

Masks can be bought from a variety of retailers within the centre or from the mask vending machines found on the malls.

Visitors will also be encouraged to use the hand sanitiser stations available and to maintain social distancing.

During the second lockdown, Queensgate remained partially open for essential retailers, Click & Collect and eateries offering takeaway options.

Although Peterborough has been placed in the Tier 2 restrictions band by the Government as it continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, non-essential retailers can now re-open.

Mr Broadhead said that throughout the lockdown a robust deep cleaning of the centre had been carried out.

He said the management team had introduced new measures and cleaning tools, one of which is a ‘fogging’ machine that sanitises any areas that the bio-mist touches, including lifts, hand rails, seating areas and the centres toilet facilities.

He added: “From reopening on December 2, we will continue to strongly promote the proactive #CoverUpPeterborough campaign which reminds people to wear a face covering inside the shopping centre and within retail units, and which has been supported by Peterborough City Council, local MPs and the community.

“The centre has seen an immediate response since the introduction of this policy and a noticeable increase in the use of face coverings.

“We continue to maintain high standards of cleanliness at Queensgate ensuring the safety of our shoppers.

“Please come and shop with us and enjoy the run up to Christmas but do your part for the safety of yourself and others.”

The centre is also warning that some retailers may vary opening hours.

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the opening hours are 9am to 4.30pm.

The centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

On Bank Holiday Monday (December 28) it will open from 9am to 5.30pm.

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