Early opening for Braehead as non-essential stores can trade again

BRAEHEAD Shopping Centre will open three hours earlier than normal on Monday, (April 26) as non-essential stores begin trading again after the Scottish Government eased Coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Normally, Braehead would open at 10am, however the centre’s Primark store plans to open at 7am and several other stores to begin trading at 8am, as they welcome shoppers back for the first time since Boxing Day, last year.

Marks and Spencer, JD Sports, The Disney Store, Next, New Look and Mac Cosmetics are opening early at 8am and Clarks shoe store will open at 9am.

Braehead’s centre director, Peter Beagley predicts fashion stores will be the most popular on re-opening day. He explains:

“As lockdown restrictions ease, people are able to socialise more and visit cafes, bars and restaurants, so they’ll be looking to update their wardrobes to look their best for their new-found freedom.

“Everyone is desperate to get back to some kind of normality and being able to go shopping is a sign of that.

“There’s definitely a sense of excitement around and people will enjoy coming to Braehead – just like they always did.”

Braehead’s essential retail stores have remained open during lockdown and in recent weeks many shops have operated click and collect.

But the shopping centre team has been busy preparing for the full re-opening of the centre and making sure both staff and shoppers remain safe when they visit the malls.

Peter adds: “We have a raft of measures in place to make sure everyone is protected from the Covid virus.

“They include social distancing, insisting people wear a mask unless they have dispensation, floor stickers and signage showing a one-way system for getting around the centre, enhanced cleaning regimes and free hand sanitisers throughout the centre.

“We can’t wait to welcome shoppers back to the centre and if we all follow the Government guidelines, everyone can enjoy the Braehead experience and stay safe at the same time.”