Dunelm store in Blackpool reopens as lockdown rules relaxed

Dunelm has reopened 39 stores across the country in line with the Government's revised guidelines on 'essential' retailers.
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Dunelm has kept its stores closed since the lockdown was imposed on March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular homeware store started to reintroduce home deliveries at the end of April, before reopening all 172 stores for click and collect orders last week.

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But the company said it "feels ready and confident" with its new safety measure to reopen 39 stores for browsing and in store purchases, including its store located on Squires Gate Retail Park in Blackpool.

However, it has confirmed Pausa Coffee Shops will remain closed until they can safely be reopened.

A spokesperson Dunelm said: "We're happy to say that we are reopening 39 stores as part of a careful and gradual process.

"Stores are reopening with a few changes to the way we work to ensure everyone is able to shop safely with social distancing and hygiene measures in place. "

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Dunelm said the outlets have reopened with new social distancing and safety measures in place, such as staggered rotas, two metre social distancing gaps and one-way systems for staff.

The Dunelm store onSquires Gate Retail Park in Blackpool has reopened. (Credit: Google)The Dunelm store onSquires Gate Retail Park in Blackpool has reopened. (Credit: Google)
The Dunelm store onSquires Gate Retail Park in Blackpool has reopened. (Credit: Google)

It comes after the Government eased restrictions on homeware retailers and garden centres on May 1.

A spokesperson added: "Over the past few weeks we've gone from normal service to closing our stores and website, to changing the way our warehouse colleagues work, slowly reintroducing online shopping with contact-free deliveries, and most recently we've rolled out contact-free click and collect across all stores.

"During this time we've enlisted the help of experts from the NHS, Government and Trading Standards to advise us of what we needed to do, and what we must continue doing to ensure that we are helping everyone stay safe and well.

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"After much planning and preparation, we know we can safely begin to re-open."

Dunelm says it has made the following changes to ensure stores are safe to reopen for browsing and click and collect deliveries:

- Improved communication around the importance of health and safety in the current situation

- Reorganised processes right through the business to guarantee 2 metre social distancing in all areas

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- Staggered start times and breaks with reduced numbers of colleagues on site at any time to avoid unnecessary contact

- Introduced a one way system for colleagues arriving and exiting

- Given personal hygiene equipment to every colleague

- Enhanced our cleaning regime and hygiene protocols for all personal employee equipment and across all common areas

- Closed off locker areas and brought in extra toilets to ensure they can be regularly cleaned

- Dedicated senior managers responsible for implementing all new protocols

- Put marshalls in place to ensure all new protocols are being followed.

To find out more about the changes, click HERE.

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