THE manager of a town centre trade group hopes people will stick to social distancing guidelines when non-essential shops reopen next month.

Colin Garnett, of Barrow’s Business Improvement District, welcomed the Government’s announcement that all non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen to shoppers on June 15.

From next week a number of non-essential retail businesses will reopen as part of the staggered process to ease the coronavirus lockdown.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that all retailers, ordered to close on March 23, will be allowed to resume trading.

From June 1, all outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to reopen to shoppers, as long as they are able to meet social distancing guidelines.

From June 15, all other ‘non-essential retail,’ which includes clothing and electrical stores, will be able to reopen.

Mr Garnett said: “With other restrictions being lifted it makes sense to allow non-essential shops to open as long as they put in place social distancing measures.

“I believe shops in Barrow will do everything they can to keep the general public safe, but it is up to local people to follow social distancing measures and use their common sense.

“My worry is that many local people have flouted social distancing measures recently and their actions could lead to an extension of restrictions or another ‘lockdown’ period in the Barrow area.

“I hope people will support local shops when they reopen from June 15 and will also adhere to social distancing guidance.”

More recently, garden centres and estate agents were both given the go-ahead to reopen on May 13.

Before reopening, bosses must consider who is essential to be on the premises, plan for the minimum number of people needed on site and keep across the mental and physical wellbeing of staff.

Poundland announced yesterday its store in Barrow’s Hindpool Retail Park would reopen this week as part of the discounts chain’s ‘operation sleeping beauty’.