ScS reopens all 81 stores in England but shops in Scotland and Wales remain shut
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SOFA retailer ScS has reopened all 81 stores in England - but shops in Scotland and Wales remain shut.
The homeware chain confirmed the news in an update on its website.
All reopened stores will have strict safety measures in place to keep staff and customers safe.
This includes asking shoppers to keep two metres apart, and limiting the number of customers allowed in stores at one time.
There will also be hand sanitiser stations located around shops, plus customers will be asked to pay with contactless or card where possible.
ScS cafes will remain shut for now.
Reopening non-essential shops
BEFORE non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen they must ensure that:
- Individuals are able to keep their distance from people outside of their households
- They've reduced the risk of transmission by limiting the number of people that individuals come into contact with
- Shift patterns are changed to reduce the number of people in the office at one time
- Workspaces are ventilated
Venues that are naturally crowded and where it would be hard to practise social distancing will have to remain closed until it's safe enough to reopen them.
Reopening of these types of "high-risk businesses" may be phased in, beginning with pilots to test whether it's possible for them to operate even partially.
More specific details of what rules shops will need to follow will be released closer to the time, and only if phase one and two are successful
The homeware retailer has also confirmed its home visit and floor fitting services will remain paused.
However, it resumed its delivery service last week from one regional distribution centre.
Delivery drivers will be required to wear gloves and face masks, as well as staying two metres away from customers.
The company will review the safety measures it’s enforcing in the one distribution centre first, before rolling out deliveries again nationwide.
ScS won’t deliver to customers who are self-isolating.
If the homeware firm can’t deliver to you right now, the company says it will keep your order stored in a secure unit.
ScS couldn't give The Sun a full list of stores that have reopened in England.
Instead, it's advising shoppers to use the to see if your local branch is open.
Core opening times for reopened stores are 10am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.
ScS hasn’t said when it’ll reopen shops in Scotland and Wales, but it’s telling customers to keep an eye on its website and social media pages.
It comes after the government announced it was easing restrictions on homeware retailers and garden centres.
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Other chains to reopen include Dfs, Dunelm, Furniture Village and Ikea.
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ScS has 100 branches across the UK.
It closed all its branches on March 23 due to the coronavirus crisis.