SHOPS across Woodley are preparing to reopen from Monday, June 15, for the first time since March 23.
And because the Crockhamwell Road shopping precinct is mostly pedestrianised, shoppers will face few problems accessing the stores.
Most of the work has been in place since coronavirus restrictions came into force in March.
The only one-way section is around the newly opened community garden – which removes all the tripable tree roots. Arrows have been painted on the ground to allow people to know which direction they should be walking.
Already, supermarket customers and visitors to the Boots pharmacy have been used to queuing outside at two metre intervals. This system continues and Waitrose has the queue down to a fine art.
Stores such as The Works, Peacocks and McEvoy and Rowley will be welcoming shoppers from Monday, but there are some gaps: sadly Clarks has decided to close its branch, and Hays Travel has closed its store. Others including charity shops are not yet open.
For those that are opening, a range of measures to make them Covid-19-secure are in place. For example, customers to McEvoy and Rowley will be asked to use a hand sanitiser station before entering the store.
Others will be limiting the number of customers who can come in.
There are some potential flashpoints: the narrow alleyways that link the Lytham Road (East) car park with the precinct will be a problem.
