Business

JD Sports to reopen stores across north - but those in shopping centres will stay shut

Sporting goods and clothing chain JD Sports is to reopen most of its stores in the north
Sporting goods and clothing chain JD Sports is to reopen most of its stores in the north Sporting goods and clothing chain JD Sports is to reopen most of its stores in the north
By Holly Williams and Press Association

JD Sports has confirmed it will reopen many of its shops in Northern Ireland from June 12.

The retailer will open its high street and open air stores but those in shopping centres will remain closed.

All of the chain's stores in England will open on June 15, as lockdown restrictions ease further.

[ READ MORE: 'Shopping centres' will open despite blurred lines on legislation ]

The chain said its entire 309-strong estate in England will reopen to customers across shopping centres, high streets and retail parks, after the British Government gave the go-ahead for non-essential retail to restart in England.

The group is planning to reopen across Scotland and Wales when lockdown restrictions are eased.

JD Sports said it will be allowing a limited number of shoppers in stores, providing hand sanitising stations, protective screens at tills, separating returned stock for 72 hours to reduce transmission, and closing changing rooms, in line with government guidance.

It has also given staff social distance training ahead of reopening, while each store will have a "host" near the entrance to manage access and answer customer questions on safety measures.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman at JD Sports, said: "Following 12 weeks of lockdown, we recognise the continued importance of maintaining social distancing and a safe environment in which to work and shop, and therefore have taken all necessary steps and precautions to give our staff and customers the confidence that they can safely return to our stores."