Dobbies to reopen 54 garden centres tomorrow after latest Government advice
DOBBIES is reopening 54 of its garden centres tomorrow after Boris Johnson's speech on Sunday night.
The Prime Minister confirmed gardening shops will be allowed to reopen this week - as long as they impose social distancing measures.
Dobbies has 68 garden centres nationwide - you can use the to see the most up-to-date opening information.
We've asked Dobbies for a full list of its stores that'll reopen this week and we'll update this article when we hear back.
The Sun is also checking the core opening times for these branches.
Staff and customers will be asked to keep a safe two metres apart when stores reopen.
Dobbies will also be limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time.
This means shoppers will likely face a queuing system outside stores.
In addition, perspex screens have been installed at checkouts and staff have been given PPE.
Shoppers will also find hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations at shop entrances, and they'll be asked to pay with card or contactless payments where possible.
Restaurants and children's soft play areas will remain closed.
However, Dobbies says it will introduce a takeaway menu - consisting of hot and cold drinks, soups, toasties, panini and selected bakery items - from Friday, May 15.
The newly reopened garden centres will only include Dobbies branches in England.
Dobbies has reopened just one branch in Wales during lockdown, located in Swansea, and its stores in Scotland remain shut.
During lockdown, customers have still been able to order items for home delivery from Dobbies online.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We have taken care to ensure we are following guidance provided by the Government, British Retail Consortium and Horticultural Trade Association to reopen responsibly.
Businesses that must remain closed
WHILE the Government is encouraging some to return to work, it says the following businesses and venues are required by law to stay closed to the public:
- Restaurants and cafes, other than for takeaway
- Pubs, cinemas, theatres and nightclubs
- Clothing and electronics stores; hair, beauty and nail salons; and outdoor and indoor markets not selling food
- Libraries, community centres, and youth centres
- Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, gyms, arcades and soft play facilities - although outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, golf courses and bowling greens, will be allowed to reopen from May 13
- Some communal places within parks, such as playgrounds and outdoor gyms
- Places of worship (except for funerals)
- Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses for commercial/leisure use, excluding use by those who live in them permanently, those who are unable to return home and critical workers where they need to for work
Food retailers, food markets, and hardware stores can remain open, while garden centres and certain other retailers can reopen from May 13.
“Our team is well prepared, social distancing measures are in place and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our stores across England.
“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”
Previously, only stores selling essential items such as food and medicines were allowed to stay open during the coronavirus crisis.
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Other shops, including clothing and electrical stores, will not open before June 1 under the current "road to recovery" set out by Mr Johnson.
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Visits to pubs, cinemas, hairdressers and gigs will be banned until at least July.
While anyone entering the country will have to quarantine for two weeks.