DEBENHAMS in Southend has set a date for its long-awaited re-opening next week.

The department store, based in the Royals Shopping Centre, was left off the initial list of shops which were to re-open on Monday.

Echo:

Positive - Dawn Jeakings

But yesterday, both the Royals and Debenhams confirmed the store would re-open on Wednesday, June 17.

Dawn Jeakings, centre manager at the Royals, said: “We want the re-opening transition to be as safe as possible for our loyal customers.

“Our customer care team will be on hand to assist with any questions our customers have, and ensure that the shopping experience is as easy and as convenient as possible.

“We do have to make adjustments to make this possible and we feel secure that this has been achieved.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-felt thank you to the NHS and all key workers who have kept this country going- throughout these most unprecedented times.”

Both Debenhams and the shopping centre have put social distancing measures in place to ensure everybody can shop in the safest way possible.

The measures include a one-way system for shoppers to follow and floor stickers will guide them through the shopping centre.

The centre’s customer care team will be on hand to assist and there will be clear guidelines at information points and as you enter the centre.

The entrances will be limited to Heygate Avenue entrance - opposite Southend bus station, and the High Street entrance will be open via the car park on the first floor.

The news comes as Business Secretary Alok Sharma confirmed plans for non-essential shops to open on Monday will go ahead.

Shops will only be able to open their doors if they have completed a Covid-19 risk assessment and can implement social distancing measures.

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

Enforcement notices can be issued if shops re-open without following the guidance, he added.

Many businesses have warned that the rule requiring people to stay two metres apart would jeopardise their ability to re-open.

Mr Sharma said it was being kept under review and “when it is safe to do so, we will see whether you can move to a shorter distance”.

He added: “We are taking a cautious view on this. I completely understand why for economic reasons businesses will want to have a look at this two-metre rule.”

The Business Secretary also said pubs, bars, restaurants and hairdressers will not be able to reopen until July 4 “at the earliest”.

He told the daily Downing Street press conference: “Of course, there are businesses which still remain closed. As soon as we can we will publish further safer working guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars, as well as hairdressers, barbers, nail bars and related services.

“I know there’s been a lot of speculation about when we might be able to reopen these parts of the economy and I completely understand why we’re all so keen to get them back up and running, and I absolutely share that enthusiasm.”