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Garden centres reopen in West Norfolk with new safety measures as lockdown eases




Shoppers in West Norfolk will now have more choice as garden centres in the borough have reopened today.

Among them is Dobbies, on the Hardwick Retail Estate next to Tesco Extra, which opened again today following the Government’s announcement that lockdown would be eased.

The garden centre chain, which also offers other items such as homeware and pet food, has implemented new safety measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including limits on the numbers of customers allowed in the store at any one time, one-way systems and protective screens at tills.

Dobbies Garden Centre reopens in King's Lynn (34647949)
Dobbies Garden Centre reopens in King's Lynn (34647949)

Two metre markings are also in place to ensure social distancing, while hand sanitising and trolley cleaning stations are available at the store’s entrance.

At the Lynn store today, customers said they felt, provided social distancing is adhered to, retailers like Dobbies should be able to reopen.

One couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I think it’s good it’s open, as long as you keep your distance – you go into supermarkets and queue, why shouldn’t you here?”

Dobbies Garden Centre reopens in King's Lynn (34647944)
Dobbies Garden Centre reopens in King's Lynn (34647944)

They added: “It’s good people can get back to some kind of normality.”

Another couple, who also asked not to be named, said they were pleased the store had opened as they had a gift card to use.

Announcing the reopening of Dobbies yesterday, chief executive Graeme Jenkins 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.

“Our team is well prepared, social distancing measures are in place and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our store in King’s Lynn and across England.

“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”

Elsewhere in the borough, a number of other garden centres have reopened today, also with new measures in place.

Baytree of Hilgay has reopened its garden centre and farm shop with “significant changes” – including limits on numbers of customers in the shop at one time, and a one-way system.

Those not wanting to go into the shop can still use their call/click and collect or delivery services.

Thaxters at Dersingham also reopened today with similar procedures in place to reinforce social distancing.

But Belford Garden Centre in South Wootton said it was not reopening as it could not guarantee social distancing in the shop due to the layout of the building.

However, they did say they plan to open up a Facebook message ordering system this week.



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