'Safe shopping experience' is top priority, as Hemel shopping centres look forward to welcoming customers back

The Marlowes and Riverside plan to open non-essential shops on Monday, April 12, in line with government guidelines
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Riverside Shopping Centre and The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead are looking forward to welcoming back shoppers to a safe environment when non-essential shops are allowed to re-open.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a “roadmap” out of lockdown yesterday (Monday) which aims to bring a return to more normal life, with hopes of an end to all restrictions by the end of June.

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The four-step plan sets out dates for the easing of various restrictions at different times, affecting almost every aspect of daily life, with non-essential shops named in Step Two, with a planned date of April 12.

Signage for customers continues to be implemented at the shopping centres (C) RiversideSignage for customers continues to be implemented at the shopping centres (C) Riverside
Signage for customers continues to be implemented at the shopping centres (C) Riverside

Essential stores at both Riverside Shopping Centre and Marlowes have remained open during the national lockdown.

Businesses that remain open at Riverside include Nationwide, I Mobile (appointment only) and food delivery/click and collect options from Pizza Express and Starbucks.

A spokesman for Riverside said: "Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that all non-essential retail could reopen on 12th April, here at Riverside we’ll be continuing to ensure customers can expect a safe environment when shopping at the centre.

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"Enhanced cleaning regimes, signage to guide customers on social distancing and one-way walking systems have been continued to be implemented at Riverside to ensure everyone remains safe.

Signs are on display around the shopping centres (C) RiversideSigns are on display around the shopping centres (C) Riverside
Signs are on display around the shopping centres (C) Riverside

"Customers can continue to expect this safe environment when visiting all stores here at Riverside come 12th April.

"Alongside our cleaning procedures and signage, we are also working alongside non-essential retailers at the centre to support their plans for re-opening and creating workable queuing systems.

"Safety of visitors, staff and contractors continues to remain our priority with re-opening of non-essential stores.

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"As well as our signage, high cleaning procedures and queue requirements we’ll also be continuing to update visitors through our social media channels and website.

Signage to guide customers on one-way walking systems have been continued to be implemented at both shopping centres  (C) RiversideSignage to guide customers on one-way walking systems have been continued to be implemented at both shopping centres  (C) Riverside
Signage to guide customers on one-way walking systems have been continued to be implemented at both shopping centres (C) Riverside

"We will be continuing to work hard to ensure the shoppers of Hemel can enjoy a safe shopping experience and we’re looking forward to welcoming our visitors back here to Riverside Shopping Centre."

In The Marlowes essential businesses that remain open include David Pressman (Tues, Thurs, Sat only), Fagaras, Fresh Market, Halifax, Holland and Barrett, M&S, Marlowes News, Metro Bank, Natwest, Robert Dyas, Savers, Specsavers, Tesco, Timpsons, Vision Express and Wilko.

Cafe Nero, Cake Box, Cappuccio, Olympian Gym Cafe, Greggs, Mooboo (open weekends only) and Wenzel's are open for takeaway food and drink and/or delivery.

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A spokesperson for Marlowes said: "It is really positive to hear from the government’s recent announcement that non-essential stores could re-open from 12 April, depending on the national circumstances at the time.

Signs at The MarlowesSigns at The Marlowes
Signs at The Marlowes

"Protecting the health and safety of guests and staff will remain our number one priority regardless of the outcome in April, with enhanced sanitation and social distancing measures in place throughout the centre.

"We will be reintroducing our traffic light system back to The Marlowes, to inform the community about the best times to shop.

"This will be communicated via our social media channels and website, where guests can also keep up to date with the stores that are open at the centre.

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The government has said that while the roadmap sets out target dates for the move between steps, the progressive easing of restrictions, including those on driving lessons and tests, is dependent on certain conditions being met.

These four key factors including the vaccine deployment programme continuing successfully, evidence that it is sufficiently effective, infection rates remaining at a level that doesn’t put unsustainable pressure on the NHS, and the absence of any new "variants of concern".

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