Scores of stores at Peterborough’s Queensgate centre set to resume trading as lockdown eases

Managers of the centre say scores of traders are ready to welcome the return of customers after nearly four months of enforced closure.

Non-essential retailers were ordered to temporarily shut shop by the Government at the start of the third national lockdown as the country battled to halt the spread of Covid-19.

But as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown that was unveiled in February, those non-essential traders were told they could reopen on April 12.

Stores selling food and other products deemed as ‘essential’ have remained open throughout the lockdown.

Queensgate managers say the following stores will be open on Monday: 3, Ann Summers, Beaverbrooks, Better Brows, Body Shop, Boots, Burger King, Card Factory, Claires, Clarks, Clintons, Costa, Damaged, Deichmann, Disney, Ernest Jones (L) & Ernest Jones (U), Eurochange, F Hinds, Fatface, Fleur by Lizz, Fragrance Shop, Fraser Hart, Game, Greggs, H Samuels, H&M, Hotel Chocolate, JD Sports, Jeans and Jeans, Joules, Krispy Kreme, Lakeland, Lush, MAC, M&S, McDonalds, Menkind, Michael John, Monsoon, New Look, O2, Office, Pandora, Paperchase, Perfume Shop, PhoneXperts, Primark, Quiz, Richardsons Cycles, River Island, Schuh, Skechers, Sky, Supercuts, Superdrug, Superdry, Swarovski, Tiger, TUI, Turtle Bay, Vision Express, Vodafone, Warren James and Yankee Candle.

Stores opening in Westgate Arcade are: Clues, Fast Stitch, Maysons, Phone Trader, Pulse, Rather Gifted, Soul Happy, Style, Swivels, Oculist, The Right Time.

The centre has previously said that a range of safety procedures will be in place as Queensgate reopens to ensure customers can shop in safety during the Covid pandemic.

The centre’s opening hours are:

Monday – Wednesday 9am – 5.30pm

Thursday 9am – 8pm

Friday 9am – 5.30pm

Saturday 9am – 6pm

Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm

Budget clothing chain Primark has said it has extended its opening hours to meet customer demand.

Its opening hours will be:

Monday – Wednesday 8.30am – 6pm

Thursday 8.30am – 8pm

Friday 8.30am – 6pm

Saturday 8.30 am - 6pm

Sunday 10am – 4.30pm

A Primark spokesman said: “In line with official guidelines, we have extensive safety measures in place which includes limiting the number of customers in stores to help social distancing.

“From time to time, this can result in queues outside or inside stores so we really appreciate the patience and cooperation of our customers.

“To help this, we are offering extending offering hours across our stores to spread demand and give customers more choice around when they can visit.

“We want to make sure our stores are as safe as possible for our colleagues and customers, and we are doing everything we can to ensure this.”

Department store chain John Lewis and fashion retailer Next have said they will not be reopening their stores in the Queensgate centre.

READ MORE:

Peterborough’s Queensgate shopping centre prepares for ‘safe’ reopening as lockdown is eased

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