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The Works has announced it is aiming to reopen 465 stores across England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland next week.
The stationery retailer temporarily closed its stores in March due to government guidelines surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The company said it is following government safety guidelines and each store will undertake a “comprehensive” risk assessment, to ensure it is “Covid secure”, ahead of re-opening and said the health and wellbeing of its colleagues and customers has been a “key priority” as the company has prepared to re-open its stores.
It revealed the measures put in place include appropriate social distancing protocols, such as limiting the number of customers in store and providing floor stickers to highlight the social distancing rules, the installation of perspex screens at till points and providing cleaning stations, encouraging regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser.
These measures have been supported by comprehensive guidance and training for all employees.
The company said “appropriate measures” have also been put in place at the company’s retail distribution centre to ensure that it is Covid-19 secure as an increasing number of colleagues have returned to this facility in recent weeks.
The news comes as The Works also announced the appointment of Stephen Alldridge as interim CFO to cover Rosie Fordham who will be taking maternity leave.
Alldridge, who qualified as a chartered accountant with EY, has over 20 years’ experience of working in retail, most recently as CFO of Bonmarché Holdings.
