High-street jeweller reveals what shopping will look like in its stores as coronavirus lockdown eased

Beaverbrooks has revealed new safety measures ahead of plans to reopen 70 stores on Monday, June 15.

This follows an announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week about which retail premises would be permitted to open when, with most non-essential shops given an initial date of June 15.

And Beaverbrooks, which has branches across the North East including in Sunderland, Newcastle’s Eldon Square, Metrocentre and Middlesbrough, has made a number of changes to ensure the safety of staff and shoppers as teams prepare to welcome customers back through the doors.

Floor markings and physical boundaries will be put in place to enforce social distancing, while hand sanitiser stations will be created at shop entrances and throughout stores.

A customer host will greet shoppers as they arrive, with a staff member designated to provide them with assistance throughout their visit.

Apart from the host, staff will not be required to wear face masks or PPE, Beaverbrooks says, but will have the option to do so.

Masks and gloves will also be available for customers.

Beaverbrooks has additionally announced ‘rigorous’ hygiene measures being put in place to allow customers to try on jewellery safely.

This includes rotating limited stock on a regular basis and using a specialist cleaning solution which disinfects jewellery but does not cause damage.

Anna Blackburn, managing director, said: “As always, the safety of our people and customers is our number one priority, so we have been working hard behind the scenes to put measures in place to protect them when we reopen our doors.

“Over the past few months, we have been developing comprehensive plans for this reopening, which put safety at the top of the list while ensuring we are able to resume the high level of personal service our customers expect.

“In addition to taking key steps to ensure customers will be able to shop in a safe environment, it was important to us that people would still be able to try on their jewellery before buying – particularly for sentimental items.”

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