What do Eastbourne businesses need to do to meet government guidelines before reopening?

Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, according to the government, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, placing protective coverings on large items such as sofas which may be touched by passing shoppers, and frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces.

Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows, the government says, or outside their store to show employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance.

The notice, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb959f5e90e0708370f97f9/staying-covid-19-secure-accessible.pdf, reads, “We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and shared the results with the people who work here. We have cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in line with guidance. We have taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home.

“We have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a two-metre distance in the workplace. Where people cannot be two-metres apart, we have done everything practical to manage transmission risk.”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said, “Shops, department stores and shopping centres that have been closed since March will be able to reopen from Monday (June 15), provided they put in place the necessary steps to keep their workers and customers safe.

“This is the latest step in the careful restarting of the economy and will enable high streets up and down the country to spring back to life.”

One of the shops set to re-open on Monday is the Laptop Station, in Enterprise Shopping Centre.

It will be reopening on Monday (June 15) at reduced hours between 10am and 5pm, and there will be a limit of two customers at a time in-store.

Other changes to the way the business is dealing with the pandemic includes ‘additional’ deep cleaning times, a reduction in services, in-store anti-bac handgel and ‘safe’ queuing outside the shop.

A Laptop Station spokesperson said, “Following advice, we will be operating a two-metre safe queuing system outside of our store, with anti-bac handgel provided on entry.

“A one way system will be in place in-store with designated points for customers to stand while being served. Staff will be wearing PPE and we would encourage customers to wear a mask or face covering if they are able to.

“We will ask customers to come to the store alone where possible to avoid crowds forming.”

The reductions in services includes no call-out repairs to people’s homes and no tuitions or lessons.

People will still be able to take their laptops, computers, consoles, phones and tablets in for repair. And customers are able to purchase items on the shop’s website using the Click and Collect option.

End of life care charity Marie Curie will also be opening the doors of its shop in Eastbourne on Monday (June 15) and say they ‘urgently need the support of customers now more than ever’.

A Marie Curie spokesperson said the coronavirus has had, and continues to have, a ‘devastating’ effect on their fundraising income.

The Marie Curie shop, located in the Langney Shopping Centre, will be one of four opening across England as part of a pilot, chosen especially as it allows space for social distancing, according to the charity.

Amanda Robertson, Marie Curie shop manager, said, “Not only do our shops provide a vital income so we can continue caring for dying people and their loved ones, but we know lots of customers have also missed being able to come into our shop, hunt for a bargain and talk to our staff and volunteers.

“Charity shops give a sense of community you don’t always get in other high-street stores.

“We want everyone to feel supported and the safety of our staff, volunteers and customers is of the upmost importance, so we’ll be following a comprehensive range of safety measures.

“These include the quarantine of donations for a minimum of 72 hours to reduce the risk of contamination, increased cleaning, hand sanitiser stations and face coverings for staff and volunteers, as well as floor markings to ensure social distancing.

“Many of us have been sorting and clearing out preloved items from our homes. If you have any quality clothing, footwear, accessories, DVDs, CDs, books, homewares and small electrical items, please donate them to Marie Curie. The money we raise is essential for the charity to continue its vital work.”

Visit the Marie Curie website at www.mariecurie.org.uk for more informationRead more: Burglary round up: Thieves steal bike from Eastbourne garage

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