Drake Circus confirms plans for reopening

9th June 2020

To help maintain social distancing, the Drake Circus team will be limiting the number of visitors to the centre to make sure that everyone can reasonably maintain a two-metre distance. The team may need to ask visitors to patiently wait in a queue outside, or temporarily close access to the centre and its car parks should demand peak.

Drake Circus will be implementing a one-way, ‘keep right’ system that will direct how shoppers move around the centre, as well as allocating specific ‘in’ or ‘exit’ only entrances. New signage has been installed throughout the centre to help everyone to follow the new guidelines.

A number of stores will be trialling a ‘traffic light’ system which uses red and green signals to indicate if visitors are able to enter or not, depending on capacity. If a store is displaying a red sign, visitors are asked to please keep moving throughout the centre.

Cyclists can make use of the bike racks on Cornwall Street outside the M&S Foodcourt entrance, and there are also bike racks available on Level-2 of The Barcode in the lift lobby.

Enhanced hygiene and cleaning regimes will continue to be in place, with hand sanitising stations available to shoppers at all of the centre’s entrances and exits, as well as on key touchpoints throughout the mall.

To help keep both staff and visitors safe, plexiglass screens have been fitted at all visitor desks and the Drake Circus team will also be provided with suitable PPE including gloves and face masks.

Greg Lumley, Centre Director at Drake Circus, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Drake Circus, although we’re clearly not back to ‘business as usual’ just yet.

“In line with the latest government guidance, we have been working incredibly hard behind-the-scenes to put extra safety and hygiene measures in place. Because of this, things may look a little different when you next visit us, so please plan ahead and keep an eye out for new signage when you arrive.”

Drake Circus is also asking visitors to play their part in keeping everyone safe by respectfully following the new guidance and systems in place. The centre has shared these tips to help customers preparing to visit in the coming weeks:

1. Please check opening times and travel arrangements before you set off

Some of our retailers remain closed for the time being and many have adapted their opening hours to support the safe return to work of their staff, so please always double check before you set off. You can find a list of open stores here.

We’ve also made some temporary changes to help keep everyone safe while visiting us, which may affect your usual travel arrangements. Please find the most up to date information here.

2. Look out for new signage

To help maintain social distancing, we’ve implemented a few changes around the centre. Please keep an eye out for where we ask visitors to follow one-way, keep right systems.

We have also adapted our toilet facilities to help safely manage any queues. This means that the toilets on the Lower Mall are currently male only, and the toilets on the First Floor are currently female only. Disabled facilities and the Changing Places specialist care room remain open as usual.

3. Try to avoid peak times

We’re usually at our busiest between late morning and early afternoon, so please bear this in mind when planning your visit.

4. Use contactless payment methods wherever possible

Many of our retailers are encouraging shoppers to use contactless payment methods where possible, as it means our colleagues and shoppers don’t have to handle cash, or touch the payment terminal.

If you don’t have access to cashless payment methods then please check with retailers in advance before setting off to avoid disappointment.

For car park payments, we’d encourage you to download the app, Glide, to make easy, contactless payment via your phone.

5. Shop by yourself if you can

In line with government guidance, we’re asking visitors to shop by themselves wherever possible, and to keep household groups to a minimum if not.

6. Consider click and collect

Many of our retailers offer a click and collect service, meaning that you can place your order in advance and collect at a time to suit you.

Restaurants open at The Barcode may offer a click and collect, takeaway or delivery service only. In keeping with Government guidelines, seating throughout the mall has been reduced and visitors are kindly asked to take their food away to be enjoyed at home.

7. Please be patient

To make sure everyone can keep a two-metre distance while in our centre, where possible, we will be limiting our visitor numbers. If we become particularly busy, we may ask you to queue considerately in a designated area outside, and we may also temporarily close our car parks.

For the latest updates on Drake Circus’ stores, parking, facilities and services, please click here.

Check the latest government guidance on coronavirus here.