Under the new government guidelines, Busy Bee Garden Centre in Ryde will re-open to the public on Wednesday morning.
The company has been closed since the lockdown began in March but has now been permitted to re-open and will do so from 09:00 on 13th May.
In order to safely open the doors, the management team have had to make several changes to the store’s usual operations to ensure the safety of both customers and staff.
Customer numbers within the store will be limited and to allow for this there will be a spaced queuing area. Customers will be advised by a member of staff when they are allowed to enter the store. To assist with the limiting, only 2 members of each household will be allowed into the store at any one time.
Under 16s are not allowed in the store, nor are dogs (except for assistance dogs).
In addition, a one-way system has also been implemented throughout with navigation markers indicating the direction of travel. All customers are to use a trolley and the till area has a spaced queuing system, as well as screens for the protection of staff and customer alike.
Customers are being asked to pay by card with the contactless limit increased to £45. Cash is not being accepted for the foreseeable future.
The Olive Restaurant, gift area, clothing and bedding sections will remain closed until further notice. Customer toilets will also be closed.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has today said:
“I am delighted that the Government has announced garden centres can now re-open.
“Many Islanders have written to me requesting this and I have supported their argument, encouraging the Business Secretary alongside others to take this step. I would like to thank the Government for listening and changing the guidance to allow folks to make the most of their gardens during the fine weather.
“I believe that our garden centres can make the necessary changes to adapt to the social distancing rules, as other retailers have, to trade safely and make a positive contribution to the well-being of Islanders.
“This does not mean a lifting of lockdown. We all need to continue to obey the rules.
“This is a step in the right direction, and I’m sure that Islanders will welcome this decision.”
Oh good, I need some slug pellets and a new watering can.
So the message is Stay at home, no it’s go out, oh sorry now it’s Stay Alert. What will the message be tomorrow from little Churchill?
oh grow up. take some responsibility without having to be told, like a child, what to do. you must know by now how to keep yourself and those around you from passing on infection.
don’t know if you are being serious or whimsical, Morrisons have been selling both, right throughout the lockdown.
Slug pellets are serious the can i can live without for a while. Thanks
Thank god for that, I’ve been worried where I was going to get my Christmas lights from
As long as people keep there distance at all times not just outside waiting to get in, then it should be ok, it will be nice to see it open again
One hopes, that, for once, they may train the till operators how to put through an ‘account’ customer. The amount of times i have been in there to buy on my account, and the till operators cannot do it, they phone some long haired manager, who has to begrudgingly show them.
Train them man, train them, OR write it down on a card by the side of each till.