'No major issues' after nonessential shops reopen in Hartlepool - chiefs looking to see if any more changes are needed

Non-essential shops closed after the UK went into lockdown in March in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus, but can now open their doors subject to a Covid-19 risk assessment and social distancing measures.

On Monday many stores in Hartlepool reopened for the first time in months to shoppers.

Hartlepool Borough Council chiefs said their team has been carrying out work to ensure safe shopping areas in the borough, while stressing the importance of social distancing.

See which shops have reopened in Hartlepool's Middleton Grange...

They added to date queues have been well managed and distancing maintained, and they will continue to monitor the situation.

A council spokesman said: “Both customers and shop staff alike need to feel safe in terms of social distancing, which is why over the last few weeks we have been working closely with Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, retail parks, the shops at Seaton Carew and other shopping areas which have a high footfall.

“Our teams have been out giving advice to retailers on social distancing arrangements – and distributing guidance leaflets and checklists to them – and identifying what, if any, additional work was needed to achieve that, including managing queue lengths, adding signage and using cones and bollards.”

Council chiefs gave examples of work such as in Seaton Carew, where they have temporarily coned off the on-street parking bays on The Front, covering the main shopping area, to ensure pedestrians can safely observe social distancing.

There is also a dedicated council officer who can look to put in place temporary measures to create more space for pedestrians where ‘hotspots’ are identified.

The council spokesman continued: “Of course, we would also remind shoppers that they too have a crucial role to play by maintaining their own social distancing at all times and abiding by the social distancing arrangements which the shops have put in place.

“If we all follow the rules and are patient and understanding, things will run much more smoothly and we can all stay safe.

“We’ve been out visiting the busiest shopping areas and so far we haven’t found any major issues – queues have been well-managed, with social distancing maintained.

“Working together with the shop owners, we will continue to monitor the situation.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you