After nearly four months of closure, retail giant Primark insists safety remains its "top priority" as staff returned to work.
The high street chain, which has a large store in Nottingham's Long Row, confirmed staff returned to work on March 26 ahead of a provisional re-opening date of April 12 - in line with the government's roadmap plan.
The next phase of the roadmap will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres.
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen, as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.
A Primark spokesperson told Nottinghamshire Live: “We are really looking forward to opening our stores in England on the provisional re-opening date of April 12.
"Safety remains our top priority so that colleagues and customers can return to Primark with confidence.
"Following almost four months of closure, a significant amount of preparation is required to have our stores ready and stocked with a great Spring Summer offering for our customers.
"Primark colleagues will begin to return to work from March 26 to support this activity.
"We will continue to have extensive safety measures in place for our colleagues as they return to work, including a strict social distancing protocol, requiring the use of face coverings while at work, hand sanitisation stations and increased in-store cleaning."
A spokesman for the union USDAW added: “Like many non-essential retailers, Primark is bringing staff back into stores to prepare for the anticipated reopening on April 12.
"We are working with the company to negotiate the necessary measures to help keep staff safe.
"Any Usdaw member who has concerns about returning to work should contact the union for support.”
