Matalan reopens Bainsford store following change in guidance

The Carron Road store was among ten other Matalans in the country which began welcoming back customers yesterday after being forced to close at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Customers are still being encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines, with the fashion and homeware retailer having implemented a range of measures in-store.

Store layouts have changed and the number of customers allowed in at one time has been reduced, with floor markers introduced and all staff given personal protective equipment (PPE).

Fitting rooms, cafes and toilets have also been temporarily closed and hand sanitiser and shoppers will be provided with cleaning products for baskets and trolleys.

A company spokeswoman said: “Following the change in government guidance on May 29 to include homeware as essential retail, Matalan, as a clothing and homeware retailer with a significant homeware business, has been preparing carefully for a safe and phased re-opening of specific stores in Scotland following the successful re-opening of a number of stores in England and Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

“Our priority is to protect both our colleagues’ and our customers’ safety in every store. From June 11, and following rigorous in-store testing and consultation with industry bodies, our colleagues and our customers, we have re-opened ten stores as part of the phased reopening.

“Our new enhanced health and safety measures will ensure that every Matalan store which re-opens will be fully compliant with social distancing rules, with employees trained appropriately and provided with full PPE.

“We are confident that these safety measures are fully compliant with the guidance provided by the Scottish Government, UK Government and Public Health Scotland.

“In line with the latest government guidance, we are initially re-opening our spacious stores which have large homeware departments and a click and collect service.

“These stores are all located on out of town retail parks, with parking outside, enabling us to effectively adhere to social distancing guidelines. High street stores, stores in shopping centres, our clearance stores and our stores in Wales will remain closed.

“As we all start getting used to a new normal, we are really looking forward to gradually welcoming our customers back into stores, and our colleagues returning from furlough. We are extremely grateful to all of our colleagues for their dedicated efforts in caring for our customers and the business, and to our customers for their continued loyalty to Matalan.”