Video shows how the one way system works in Hemel Hempstead's town centre

The manager for Hemel Hempstead BID explains how the new one way system works in the town centre.

Hemel Hempstead Business Improvement District, the Riverside Shopping Centre, Dacorum Borough Council and The Marlowes have been working together to produce clear guidelines for all shoppers.

Along with Saunders Market, they have launched a joint campaign, 'Hemel Together' to install signage and provide support for businesses across the town centre.

As part of the town’s reopening strategy, hand sanitiser stations will be installed in the Marlowes Shopping Centre and Riverside Shopping Centre.

A keep to the right one-way system will operate across the town with cross over areas introduced.

Signage has been installed around town and in both shopping centres to help guide customers and ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed.

In the Riverside, as well as signage in the centre and updated cleaning procedures, customers can keep up to date with queue requirements and retailer restrictions on the centre's social media page - www.facebook.com/RiversideHemel.

The Marlowes has also implemented ensure strict adherence to government guidelines. Access to the centre is currently closely monitored through additional staff and using our existing footfall technology, with visitor capacity carefully controlled to maintain social distancing and to protect visitors, occupiers and staff.

If the density of shoppers rises to levels that may prevent social distancing, access to the centre will be reduced or temporarily stopped until numbers reduce.

A queuing system will be put in place dependant on the status of the centre:

- RED status: The centre has reached shopper capacity – Shoppers will be asked to join the queue to safely enter the centre.

- AMBER status: The centre is near to reaching shopper capacity – Shoppers may need to be prepared to queue to safely enter the centre.

- GREEN status: The centre is free flowing – no queues, a good time to shop

Naomi Watkins, Hemel Hempstead BID manager, said: "We have implemented some new signage to try and make it a little bit easier to socially distance while you're in town.

"We have done this under the header 'Hemel Together' and this has been done with the Business Improvement District, the council, the two shopping centres and Saunders Market.

"We have got signage up across the town and we have also given independent businesses signage as well.

"The system in The Marlowes with the traffic lights is working well and it has not gone past green yet.

"We are asking customers to 'keep right' throughout the town, this is due to logistics in the shopping areas which would make a 'keep left' system more problematic."

Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you