Bury Primark store set to reopen with a huge set of new safety measures

The fashion retailer closed its stores, including its branch at the Rock in Bury, on March 23 when the Government ordered all non-essential shops to shut to prevent further spread of coronavirus.

However, from next week the Government is allowing retailers to begin to reopen providing stores have strict safety measures in place.

Primark has now announced a raft of precautions designed with "employee and customer safety the highest priority" according to bosses.

A spokesman said: "We are closely following all government safety advice and applying experience gained from our store openings across Europe, putting rigorous health and safety measures in place in all stores, including a strict social distancing protocol, personal protection for employees and customers and increased in-store cleaning".

Primark CEO, Paul Marchant, said: “We have really missed our customers and we are delighted to be back on 15 June and able to provide them with the quality, affordable products they love from Primark.

“While it might take a little longer to get into store, once inside, customers will find all their favourite Primark products and plenty of choice as usual. We have worked hard to make sure that clear signage and extra help will be there to guide them through the changes we have made to allow for social distancing.

“We are also asking customers to respect the measures we have put in place to help ensure shopping at Primark is an enjoyable, safe experience for everyone.”

The store has also confirmed there will be no sales or special offers when they re-open their doors.

The full list of safety measures across Primark stores:

SOCIAL DISTANCING:

- Limiting the number of customers allowed in store at any one time to allow for the appropriate distance in between customers and employees.

- Clear signage and floor decals, as well as dedicated employees who are responsible for managing queues at tills and entrances to stores

- Additional security staff to help customers follow social distancing measures while queueing to enter store

- New layout of stores to allow for more space between people by reconfiguring queuing system at till points to allow for social distancing. Dedicated employees are on hand to manage the correct flow of the queue.

- Temporary closure of fitting rooms, customer toilets and cafe and beauty concessions in stores which have them.

- Entry and exit points are clearly marked.

- Frequent tannoy announcements will be made in store reminding customers to adhere to social distancing measures.

PERSONAL PROTECTION:

- Increased personal protection for employees and customers.

- Hand sanitiser stations will be made available at the entrance and on the shop floor and back of house for employee and customer use.

- Every second till is closed, in order to leave appropriate space between customers and between employees. Perspex screens have been installed on open tills to protect customers and employees.

- Face masks and gloves are available to all employees if they wish to use them.

- Customers are asked to sanitise their hands upon entry. Dedicated employees are on hand to assist customers if needed.

- All returns will be managed in line with government advice.

- All testers removed from the health and beauty department.

- Card payments and contactless when possible to minimise cash interactions. Limits have been increased for contactless payments where this was possible.

- Dedicated employees to manage queues at tills and entrances to stores to ensure social distancing measures are being followed.

- Dedicated employees make sure hand hygiene stations are topped up and report any issues or concerns to the store manager.

IN-STORE CLEANING:

- Increasing the frequency and rigour of store cleaning policy across all markets: giving particular attention to high frequency touchpoints such as tills, escalators, lifts, and employee areas in back of house.

- A deep clean of each store is carried out before re-opening.

- Increased frequency of cleaning throughout the day.

- A basket cleaning system where each basket handle is cleaned before use.

- Sanitising wipes are made available for employees to sterilise baskets and cashpoints.