Home improvement retailer Wickes has announced plans to reopen six stores today (Thursday, April 30) on a trial basis.
The chain, which is considered an essential retailer under the government’s new guidelines, said there would be strict social distancing measures in place.
Each store will limit the number of people inside at any one time and will have signs and floor markers advising shoppers to keep two metres apart.
Wickes said it had also installed perspex screens at tills and service stations, and that staff on the shop floor would be using personal protective equipment (PPE).
There will also be sanitising station and the branches will only accept card and contactless payments.
The retailer said its timber-cutting and paint-mixing services will not be available during the trial period and its showroom kitchen and bathroom design appointments will still be carried out virtually.
Refunds will also be unavailable until all Wickes stores open fully, the company said. It is currently letting customers return any items purchased from March 1, 2020, up to 30 days after stores reopen.
A spokesperson for Wickes said: “Initiatives that have been successfully deployed by other essential retailers are being introduced to ensure customers can shop safely and colleagues remain protected.”
The trial stores will also operate shorter opening hours on Monday to Saturday - from 7am to 6pm. Trading hours on Sunday will be between 10am to 4pm.
Wickes first closed its stores in March and has since been operating online with options for click and collect, and home delivery.
List of Wickes branches to reopen
Pudsey, West Yorkshire
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Preston, Lancashire
Sevenoaks, Kent
Cricklewood, London
Hailsham, East Sussex
