Some Eldon Square and Metrocentre shops to reduce…

Some Eldon Square and Metrocentre shops to reduce opening hours amid 'unprecedented' circumstances

Some of Newcastle's biggest shops may cut their opening hours amid the "unprecedented circumstances" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Intu, which runs the Eldon Square and Metrocentre shopping centres in Newcastle and Gateshead as well as others nationally, has offered to allow shops to reduce their core hours.

Traders will now be able to run from 9am to 6pm within Eldon Square centres, if they wish to, instead of the usual closing time. It's understood many Eldon Square shops, including John Lewis, will take this measure.

The move could reduce pressure on businesses and workers with many forced to take time off due to illness or self-isolation.

However, both Eldon Square and the Metrocentre will continue to follow usual opening hours, while some individual stores close two hours early.

Some stores, including Eldon Square's Boots and Waitrose, both of which are currently very busy thanks to increased demand for food and medical supplies, with continue to open for the full allowed period.

However other shops, including Morphe and Apple, have announced they will close entirely as a result of the pandemic. The UK Government has advised that people work from home wherever possible, but for retail workers this isn't an option.

An Intu spokesperson said: "In light of the latest Government advice and in consultation with our brands, we have adjusted the core hours that stores can operate within our centres.

"That means that individual retailers, restaurants and leisure facilities can reduce their opening hours if they wish, but the centres themselves will open and close at the usual time.

"We are focused on supporting the brands that operate in our centres by providing them with greater flexibility, whilst also serving our communities and ensuring people have access to important services and essential items."

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Intu says each shop's opening hours will be updated daily on its website and the websites of individual shops, and shoppers are advised to check these or to call specific shops if they wish to visit them after 6pm.

Increased cleaning and hygiene measures are also being implemented in the centres.

The spokesperson added: "These are unprecedented circumstances and we are doing our best to operate key services in a safe and sensible way.

"Precautionary measures are in place across all our sites and we would encourage everyone to use the hand sanitisers and cleansing wipe stations that have been installed throughout our centres.

"We’re also deep cleaning high footfall areas much more regularly.

"We are following the official guidance very carefully and doing everything we can to support our employees in these challenging times."

Eldon Square shops closing at 6pm as of Wednesday, March 18 (subject to change).

Accessorize

Allsaints

Ann Summers

Barrhead Travel

Beaverbrooks

Burton

Card Factory

The Carphone Warehouse

Change Group