Westfield and Landsec get shopping centres ready for when lockdown eases

Westfield and Landsec have drawn up initial plans to make their shopping centres better equipped for social distancing ahead of more retailers opening as the lockdown eases.

The landlords told the Evening Standard of their plans as they prepare for more footfall when ‘non-essential’ retail stores begin to reopen, subject to government guidelines, from June 1.

Among measures Westfield’s parent Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield will introduce at its Stratford and White City malls include: heightened cleaning; one-way systems where needed; monitoring live footfall cameras to manage the amount of people entering; floor stickers to mark social distancing spaces.

There will also be Westfield staff checking people are adhering to social distancing guidelines, while the car park will only have vehicles using every second space.

Scott Parsons, regional manager director UK & Italy at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: “We don’t underestimate the importance of getting these measures right, not only to ensure everyone coming in to our centres is safe, but that they also feel confident that their wellbeing is genuinely being considered at every point.”

Landsec, which owns One New Change in the City and is a part-owner in Kent’s Bluewater centre, will also be using floor stickers and signs to remind shoppers of social distancing.

There will be new hand sanitiser points throughout sites, while security and concierge teams will be available to help manage queuing.

Jamie Taylor, head of property operations at Landsec said: “Safety is our highest priority. We’re working hard to ensure we adhere to all government guidelines at our sites across the capital and beyond, and will be taking a robust approach to cleanliness and hygiene.”

Vivienne King, chief executive at retail property organisation Revo, said: “Provided people are reassured they are coming into safe environments, property owners and retailers anticipate strong demand when non-essential retail reopens, with consumers expected to welcome the opportunity to return to high streets and shopping centres after two months of lockdown.”