BOLTON'S Market Place will re-open in just over a fortnight ­— with a new one-way system in place for shoppers as well as hand sanitiser stations around the shopping centre.

Retail bosses last night laid out their blueprint to get Bolton back to business ­— with similar plans being drawn up by nearby Crompton Place shopping centre.

Middlebrook chiefs said that while they have remained open throughout the lockdown ­— with Asda, Marks and Spencer and Tesco on the retail park ­— they are now preparing for more visitors as restrictions are eased.

A Market Place spokesman said: “We’re getting ready to re-open on June 15 and have started to make changes for when we do.

“This will include a one way system, safe distancing communications and sanitiser stations around the centre."

The government announced late on Monday evening that all non-essential shops would be able to open from June 15 in England, as part of further plans to ease lockdown restrictions.

Bolton will receive a £253,140 share of a new £50 million fund for councils across the country to prepare for the safe re-opening of high streets.

Bury received £169,235, while Wigan received £290,046.

A spokesman for Middlebrook said: “We never totally closed as we’ve always kept 16 stores open, but we do expect it to get even busier now.

“We are being very cautious, there is social distancing in place, and we are preparing now to make sure customers are safe when the shops return.

“We have been working through the whole of lockdown because we have many essential shops, so we’ve been dealing with the public since say one.

“Now we are very carefully making sure everything is prepared for the reopening of all stores.”

Paula Wood, centre manager for Crompton Place, said: “The announcement from the Government’s press conference on Monday, to allow all non-essential retail to reopen from June 15 was anticipated and welcomed.

“At Crompton Place we are well underway with our plans to reopen the centre and working with our retailers to ensure we are compliant with Government guidance on managing the risk of Covid-19.” n Email letters@nqnw.co.uk