Wickes set to reopen stores in Burgess Hill and Crawley

They will include stores in East Grinstead and Dorking with stores in Burgess Hill and Crawley among another 108 set to reopen on Tuesday May 19.

Wickes in Horsham is not yet on a list of stores reopening.

The phased reopening will include the introduction of new safety measures.

A spokesman said: “Despite being an essential retailer, Wickes took the decision to serve its customers exclusively through its digital channels since closing all stores in March.

“The roll-out follows the successful trial opening of six stores which implemented new social distancing measures, and will happen in two phases, with 106 shops opening on Thursday May 14 and the remaining 108 opening their doors on Tuesday May 19.

“All stores will have social distancing measures in place to protect colleagues and customers.

“These initiatives mirror those deployed by other essential retailers and are available to view via a customer facing video found online.

“The steps taken should provide reassurance to consumers that they can shop safely in store and that colleagues are well protected.

“Wickes will limit the number of people in its stores at any one time, there will be clear signage and floor markers to ensure people remain two metres apart and perspex screens have been installed at the tills.

“Sanitising stations will be made available for customer use, colleagues will be using PPE and the shops will only accept card and contactless payments.”

Wickes chief executive officer David Wood said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers is always our absolute priority.

“In recent weeks we have taken time to review in great detail how to operate our stores safely in the wake of Covid-19 and we are confident we have put the right measures in place to achieve this.”

The opening hours of the stores will still be shorter than they were before the temporary closures. Store dependent, trading hours Monday to Saturday will start from either 6am or 7am, closing at 4pm or 5pm. Sunday trading hours remain 10am to 4pm.

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