Halfords to reopen 53 stores in the UK with huge changes - full list
HALFORDS will reopen a number of branches across the UK after stores were closed during the coronavirus pandemic. This is the full list of branches that will open.
Boris Johnson announces retail shops to reopen from June 15th
Halfords has announced plans for a trial to reopen branches across the UK after temporarily closing stores during the coronavirus crisis. This is the full list of 53 stores that will reopen.
In March this year, non-essential stores across the country closed as social distancing measures were enforced.
While Halfords was considered an essential retailer, the retailer has used a Dark Store model which means customers have not been able to freely browse.
Instead, orders have been placed while customers wait outside.
Following trials in Peterborough and Bristol Cribbs Causeway, the retailer will open a further 53 stores across the UK.
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Full list of branches to open
Inverness
Stirling
Dundee
Edinburgh - Straiton
Hamilton
Preston
York
North Shields
Stockport
Aintree
Liverpool, Edge Lane
Huddersfield
Wakefield
Doncaster
Sheffield, Queens
Chester
Telford
Leicester, St Margarets
Newport
Gloucester
Hereford
Leamington Spa
Cribbs Causeway
Frome
Swindon
Poole
Basingstoke
Fareham
Plymouth
Exeter
Yeovil
Taunton
Peterborough
Lincoln, Tritton
Norwich
Ipswich Euro
Chelmsford
Braintree
Cambridge
Colchester
Aylesbury
Milton Keynes
Stevenage
Bedford
Hemel Hempstead
Harlow
High Wycombe
New Malden
Eastbourne
Maidstone
Ashford
Thanet
Chatham
The branches will open as a Retail Lite model with new social distancing measures put into place.
These include restricting how many shoppers enter a store at one time and floor markings to ensure customers keep a safe distance.
Cleaning stations will also be placed at entrances and customers are asked not to handle or try on products.
These measures will ensure both employees and customers stay safe while shopping in stores.
Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords, said: “We are pleased to be in a position to start letting our customers back into our stores.
"However, we are going to be reopening them to our customers gradually and cautiously in order to be absolutely certain that our colleagues and customers have a safe environment in which to work and shop.
"There has been a big surge in demand for our bike products and services as people have taken to cycling during the lockdown, both for commuting and for fun.
"We are also anticipating a similar level of demand for our motoring products and services in the coming days, as people begin to use vehicles again that in some cases will have been off the road for many weeks.
"The launch of our new Retail Lite model will assist us in meeting this increased demand, which in turn will allow us to continue helping to keep the UK moving.”
Halfords follows in the footsteps of other retailers who have recently been reopening stores.
The government has announced all non-essential shops will be able to open again from June 15.