DIYWEEK.net

Robert Dyas will begin a phased return to the high street from Monday 15 June, with 11 stores in the South-East leading the way and reopening their doors. 

Further stores will reopen from Wednesday 1 July, when Click & Collect will also be reactivated, following the successful and safe rollout of the first phase. 

Chairman of Robert Dyas, Theo Paphitis, said: “We know from recent feedback that our customers and colleagues are eagerly awaiting the return of our stores to their local community, and their safety is our top priority. The team has been working hard to put rigorous safety measures in place, and it will be great to get back to being shopkeepers on the high street from 15th June. 

Our plan to reopen stores means our customers will soon have the flexibility to use all of our shopping channels again, including their local high street store, online home delivery and Click & Collect.” 

Robert Dyas stores will be remodeled in order to facilitate the Government’s social distancing guidelines and visual reminders will be placed at key points for the attention and safety of both colleagues and customers. New measures will include: 

Restrictions on the amount of customers allowed in store 

Customer service hosts on-hand to support with any queries 

Directional signage for one-way flow to ensure social distancing 

Use of contactless payments where possible 

Increased frequency of cleaning and sanitising 

Perspex screens at till points 

Quarantining returned goods for up to 72 hours 

Sanitising stations available for baskets 

PPE available for staff including masks, gloves and personal sanitiser 

The business will ensure any learnings from colleagues during phase one are taken into account and used to refine safety measures for the secure reopening of remaining stores. 

Throughout the crisis and while the stores have been closed, the Robert Dyas digital and warehouse teams have worked hard to continue operating safely with an online presence for the 148-year-old chain, enabling customers to purchase items for home delivery. 

Stores that will initially reopen on Monday 15 June are: Chiswick, Ealing, Richmond, Henley, Wimbledon, Thame, Amersham, Haywards Heath, Dorking, Petersfield and Hemel Hempstead; once again becoming part of the community serving customers with all the essentials they need for the home and garden.