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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Milo Boyd

What socially distanced shopping at Debenhams will look like from Monday

Photos from inside a Debenhams store show what's awaiting customers when they arrive on Monday.

In two days time the department store will throw open its doors for the first time in months, along with many other non-essential retailers across the UK.

Things will not be exactly how they were before the coronavirus lockdown however.

The number of people who will be let into the stores will be limited.

This means those shopping at peak hours may have to queue to get their hands on a new outfit.

Arrows on the floor will direct shopper traffic (Dan Rowlands / SWNS.com)

Once inside arrows taped onto the ground will show customers which way to go, in order to minimise contact with others.

Once all the bargains have been scooped into the basket, shoppers will have to queue at the till on markers spaced two metres from each other.

The fact shops can reopen on Monday will be a huge relief for those running the struggling department store.

Customers will be advised to keep two metres apart (Dan Rowlands / SWNS.com)

During the coronavirus lockdown efforts have been made to renegotiate the terms of Debenhams' rental deals.

It was announced earlier this week that such negotiations with mall operator Intu failed, leading to three Debenhams to close in Milton Keynes, Watford and Gateshead.

In total 20 of the stores will not be opening back up again on Monday.

Manikins will be largely the same (Dan Rowlands / SWNS.com)

“Sadly we have been unable to agree terms with the landlord,” said a Debenhams spokesman. “As a result these stores will not be reopening in line with the rest of the chain.

"We greatly regret the effect on our colleagues, who have served our customers with commitment and dedication.”

The closure of the Watford outlet will be a particularly sore blow for Debenham's senior management.

It had been billed as the brands 'store of the future'.

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