The Dolphin Shopping Centre stores reopening today

The retail complex in Poole town centre has carried out a detailed review and drawn up plans to help maintain social-distancing while having more shops open.

While some eseential retailers have been able to stay open during the coronavirus lockdown, the majority of businesses in High Streets and shopping centres, including the Dolphin Centre, have been closed for weeks.

However, from tomorrow many will be back in operation.

Which stores are reopening tomorrow?

• Animal
• Clarks
• Deichmann Shoes
• Fone World
• HMV
• Hollywood Fancy Dress
• H Samuels
• H&M
• In-Time Watch Repairs
• JD Sports
• Market Gallery
• Milletts
• Muffin Break (takeaway only)
• O2
• Perfume Shop
• Primark
• River Island
• Saltrock
• Sports Direct
• 3G Mobile
• Timpsons
• Trespass
• Waves
• Wizarding Delights
• Zara Juice

Which stores have already reopened or stayed open throughout lockdown?

• Boots
• CyclePaths
• Ewa's Café
• Holland & Barrett
• KFC (delivery only)
• M&S
• McColls
• Poundland
• Specsavers (emergencies only)
• Starbucks (takeaway only)
• WH Smith
• Wilko
• Vision Express (emergencies only)

When are the other stores reopening?

• Subway - June 16
• Warhammer - June 17
• Greggs - June 18
• Discount Health Store - June 22
• Vodafone - June 23
• Next - June 24
• Canvas Printing Company, Sewquick - June 29

What are the centre's opening times?

It is currently open for essential items, Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 6.30pm, and Sundays from 10am to 5.30pm.

Elderly and vulnerable customers are encouraged to shop between the hours of 9am to 10am, while NHS and key workers will be given priority between the hours of 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

Each retailers’ specific opening times are available on their website.

What changes has the Dolphin Centre management team introduced?

The centre has undertaken an extensive and detailed audit of its former organisation and planned significant amendments to the new working of the centre.

It has reviewed the layout of the mall to ensure walkways are as clear as possible to accommodate two-metre social-distancing rules with designated entrances and exits into the centre. A one-way route for shoppers has been implemented which will be marked, with customers being encouraged to shop alone were possible.

To increase space for shoppers, temporary commercial units have been removed from the mall and the centre will operate to a reduced capacity, which will be monitored on an ongoing basis. If necessary, shoppers will be asked to queue outside the various entrances of the centre and individual retailers, while maintaining social distancing measures safely.

• Shops ready themselves to reopen tomorrow

Staff members have undergone training to support the social distancing measures and they will be throughout the centre to ensure shoppers’ experience is as safe as possible. The centre has also invested heavily in PPE including visors, gloves, and face masks to protect its staff.

The centre has purchased additional cleaning resources. A Clorox machine and several contactless hand sanitiser stations have been secured, which will be positioned around the centre. Enhanced and more frequent cleaning routines will be carried out daily with frequent touch points, such as lift buttons and door handles, being regularly cleaned.

The public toilets, including both disabled and baby changing facilities, will remain open due to the space available in the recently refurbished toilets.

• 'Keep your distance': what's happening across the BCP area as more shops prepare to reopen

What do centre management have to say?

Dolphin Shopping Centre manager John Grinnell

John Grinnell, centre manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, said: “The safety of our shoppers and staff is paramount and our centre team has worked tirelessly to support our essential retailers that have remained open during the lockdown.

“Now as we enter the reopening phase of non-essential retail, we are working in partnership with all our retailers, using Government guidance, to help them comply with our safety standards to provide a safe shopping experience for all customers. This is in addition to the measures that we are implementing at the centre.

"We have also taken practical advice from the British Retail Consortium and will continue to monitor and review the new systems in place and make adjustments as necessary. We urge shoppers to prioritise shopping safely and where possible, visit alone or in small groups if essential.”

• All store reopening details correct at the time of article being published. For more information, visit dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk/covid-19