Harrogate M&S's strict social distancing rules in deserted town centre

Marks & Spencer has issued a long list of strict social distancing rules for its town centre store as footfall plunges in Harrogate town centre during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The back entrance to M&S Food Hall, Oxford Street, Harrogate which has strict 
 social distancing measures in force.The back entrance to M&S Food Hall, Oxford Street, Harrogate which has strict 
 social distancing measures in force.
The back entrance to M&S Food Hall, Oxford Street, Harrogate which has strict social distancing measures in force.

The safety measures at its Oxford Street branch to enable people to shop for essential food items come at a time when M&S is also giving priority service to the vulnerable and NHS and emergency workers.

Store manager Mark Robson said, although the rest of its town centre store was closed, the food hall remained open and was putting the protection of customers first.

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Mr Robson said: "As most of the town centre is closed, people may think we are closed, too, so our footfall is very low, making us probably the best shopping environment around to be able to social distance.

"At the moment peoples habits are understandably, to shop less often and in greater bulk.

"This then leads people to shops with car parks, those shops then have longer queues and are difficult to maintain social distancing."

The town centre M&S gives priority on opening on Monday and Thursdays to over 70s and vulnerable customers.

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On a Tuesday and Friday it reserves the first hour for NHS and emergency service workers.

Access to the store is by the food hall doors facing Harrogate Theatre on Oxford Street which now has a separate entrance and exit.

M&S Food Hall, Oxford Street, Harrogate: social distancing measures

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1.Putting staff on the in door are counting customers in to ensure it does not breach guidelines for the number of customers in store.

2.All trolleys and baskets are sanitised before the next customer uses them.

3.Alternate tills are open so that any queues are not too close together.

4.Installation of floor stickers to show a two metre gap in case there is a queue at the cash till.

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5. Plastic screens at the tills to create a safe barrier between customers as they pay and colleagues working on the till.

6. Signage around the store to remind customers of the social distance guidance.

M&S food hall on Oxford Street, Harrogate is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30 am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

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