Queues form as shopper return to the city centre
Published: 15 June 2020
A steady stream of shoppers have returned to the city centre on the first day many stores were able to reopen.
Preparations took place over several weeks to ensure Exeter city centre is a safe and welcoming environment for visitors as many stores reopened their doors for the first time since March.
All shops have been required to complete a risk assessment to ensure they can carry out safe distancing, and queues formed outside several well know High Street shops this morning.
Hospitality businesses like cafes and restaurants are hoping to reopen from 4 July, if conditions set by the government are met.
Temporary and permanent measures and changes have been required to ensure the city centre remains a vibrant place to live, work, socialise, visit, shop and work.
Social distancing measures must be in place to ensure the safety of shoppers. Stencils have been marked outside shops and throughout the City Centre.
Signs have also been put up to help people keep two metres apart, and some narrow streets are operating a one way system.
Stores are limiting the number of customers inside to allow two metre social distancing to be followed, and markings are assisting with the spacing of queues.
City Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “I welcome the return of many shops in the city centre, and it was good to see people using them while making sure it was safe to do so.
“A lot of work has been done by the City Council and its partners including Exeter BID and the Chamber of Commerce to get this far, and it is very pleasing to see an increased footfall back in the city centre.”
Some larger stores, as well as some independents, have indicated a phased return to reopening.
The city centre preparations are being coordinated by the City Centre Recovery Group, led by the City Council and its partners, including Exeter BID, Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Exeter College.
The City Centre Recovery Group aims to safely reopen the City Centre to support workers, shoppers, students, visitors and bring investment back into Exeter, to Build Back Better.
