The Chantry Centre in Andover and many of its shops will open again on Monday. But do expect the way you are asked shop to be a bit different.
In accordance with the UK Government plans the Centre has made some changes.
- Expect to walk through the Centre on your left hand side.
- They may control the number of people in Centre at any given time.
Centre Management have told business tenants, “We are preparing for the re-opening of more shops in the Centre from 15th June. Government guidelines on social distancing and increased hygiene will remain in place for the foreseeable future so this will be a case of the ‘new normal’ rather than business as usual.
“It is likely that there may be further restrictions to support health risks in the workplace.”
There will be a one-way flow system in place, specific doors to enter and exit the shopping centre and management say they will “regulate” the rules if anyone ignores the instructions.
Management at the Test Valley Borough Council -owned property say they have “continued to provide cleaning throughout the Centre and have undertaken a deep clean where required. In preparation for the Centre re-opening”.
The Centre also claim to have:
• Ensured adequate supplies of washroom consumables (toilet rolls, hand towels, soap, etc.)
• Ordered sufficient supplies of cleaning materials, including viricidal cleaning solutions for all surfaces and customer touchpoints which have been subject to an increased cleaning regime
• Maintained all cleaning equipment for its safe operation
• Developed an emergency cleaning response plan and verified our service partner’s capability of undertaking deep cleans, to ensure we can quickly respond to any new reported Covid-19 cases
When you return to shopping at the Chantry Centre, you will note they there is additional signage which provides a visual guidance to help customers and visitors on the safe entry and exit routes and how to safely navigate within the Centre.
Centre Management say, “We are implementing one-way pedestrian entrance and exit routes for the Centre to comply with Government social distancing measures. Signage and visual aids have been installed to assist customers to navigate the centre. Hand sanitising dispensers are being installed at each entry and exit point.“
- A give way system will be implemented for Chantry House and Portland House entrances due to restricted widths.
- In accordance with Government guidance the Chantry Centre will monitor (and regulate if necessary) the number of customers in the centre at any one time.
- The management of social distancing at entry points into and within stores is the responsibility of individual tenants and must not prejudice other occupiers or common areas e.g. increases the risks of queues in common areas.
The main toilet facilities located adjacent to Waitrose at the Centre and the unisex toilet adjacent to Claire’s Accessories are being fully re-opened for use by all members of the public. Signage is being installed to ensure social distancing is observed.
Centre Management add, “Toilet lids must be closed before flushing. This minimises the release of droplets.
The facilities are included in the enhanced cleaning regime.”
The Chantry Centre is home to many popular local businesses such as David Mellor Family Jewellers and TotCity.
The shopping centre has “increased daytime cleaning to focus on the cleaning frequency of all common touch-points”, these include:
• Hand rails
• Door handles
• Lift car interiors and floor destination/lift call buttons
• Mall furniture (unless temporarily removed)
• WC cubicles
• Sinks & taps
The Centre have been using ‘viricidal cleaning solutions’ for all hard surfaces and have ensured the cleaning team are fully trained in infection control and developed a deep clean response plan in readiness for any future outbreak.
The leader of Test Valley Borough Council (the owners of the Chantry Centre) will be talking exclusively to 95.9FM Andover Radio on Friday about how they have ensured that shoppers’ High Street experience may have changed and what conditions are in lace to keep people safe.
95.9FM Andover Radio will broadcast frequent updates on safety measures in place around the town centre and update listeners on what to expect as the ‘unlock’ and current Covid19 situation evolves.
Businesses in the Chaantry Centre that are planning to re-open must make contact with Centre Management and go through a Risk Assessment process. The Andover Business Improvement District has an agreement with local company Saxon Safety to provide this for local businesses.
