Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020 poster
Mobility retailers reopening should ensure to display the COVID-19 Secure notice on shop windows

All mobility retail shops in England have been told they can reopen from Monday the 15th June, provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible.

The announcement made by Business Secretary Alok Sharma means that mobility retailers previously uncertain whether or not their business was deemed ‘essential’ can now open their doors without fear of community or local authority backlash.

It follows the prime minister’s broadcast in May indicating that the majority of retailers would be allowed to reopen as lockdown measures are further relaxed as long as the country continued to meet its five tests.

Prior to reopening, however, retailers must ensure they have followed guidance from the government to ensure they are COVID-19 secure. Steps shops should take include conducting a thorough risk assessment, limit the number of shoppers on site, establish regular cleaning regimes and more.

Advertisement | Continue story below

To learn more about how to become COVID-19 secure, read THIIS’ Deep Dives into reopening physical shopping premises and working in people’s homes.

In particular, mobility dealers reopening stores should display a notice on their shop windows to visibly confirm to shoppers that they have followed the guidance.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Shops, department stores and shopping centres that have been closed since March will be able to reopen from Monday 15 June, provided they put in place the necessary steps to keep their workers and customers safe. This is the latest step in the careful restarting of the economy and will enable high streets up and down the country to spring back to life.”

Across the mobility sector, retailers have taken differing stances regarding remaining open or not throughout the lockdown.

Retailers such as Ableworld took the decision to remain open after seeking clarification from MPs whilst others such as People First Mobility and Easy Living Mobility decided to shut shop until receiving further instruction from the government. Alternatively, retailers such as the South East’s Lifestyle and Mobility and Clearwell Mobility decided to reopen ahead of the 15th after introducing COVID-19 secure measures.

For many in the sector, the concern now will not be the ability to reopen but whether customers have the confidence to return to stores.

Analysis by THIIS of online search terms relating to mobility products suggests consumers are starting to search for ranges online, however, time will tell whether the same trends will be seen in consumer footfall.

THIIS ROUND-UP
Join the 3,750+ mobility professionals who stay informed with THIIS' twice-weekly industry updates.
We respect your privacy
https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/staying-covid-19-secure-accessible.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/staying-covid-19-secure-accessible-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettBusiness SupportCoronavirus NewsCOVID-19 Sector NewsCOVID-19 Trade NewsGovernment & Local AuthoritiesNewsroomRetailer NewsSector NewsTrade NewsAbleworld,Alok Sharma,Business Secretary,coronavirus,COVID-19,Easy Living Mobility,Government,lifestyle and mobility,Local Authority,mobility retailer,showroomsAll mobility retail shops in England have been told they can reopen from Monday the 15th June, provided they follow government guidelines to keep staff and customers as safe as possible. The announcement made by Business Secretary Alok Sharma means that mobility retailers previously uncertain whether or not their business...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals