New West End Company reveals plans for ‘safe and sustainable’ reopening of shops in the district.
The New West End Company – which represents over 600 retail and leisure businesses in London’s West End – is preparing for reopening, following the latest round of government guidance.
The company has confirmed its plans for a ‘safe and sustainable’ reopening of shops in the district – which covers Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, issuing guidelines designed to complement the latest government advice which said non-essential retail could begin to reopen in early June.
The Industry.Fashion reported that this includes flexible opening hours between 11am and 7pm, as well as an agreement to hold back on discount sales by retailers in order to regulate footfall and queues.
“Our priority is a safe reopening of the West End, and we continue to work collaboratively with West End businesses and local authorities to put in place clear operational and logistical plans to get back to work safely,” commented Jace Tyrrell, ceo of New West End Company. “Having acted early to protect public health, it is right that we set an example for the nation’s high streets in helping communities rebuild confidence in spending time together outside.”
The company is also working with Transport for London and Westminster City Council to manage foot traffic.
Footpaths across Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street will be given clear markings to help with social distancing, while store visitor numbers will be closely managed with marked waiting areas to the left of retailer entrances to avoid long queues.
“Collectively adopting a consistent approach across the West End will help us all adopt the habits to keep each other safe over the coming months,” Meave Wall, stores director at Selfridges was quoted as saying on The Industry.Fashion.
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