News

COVID-19 FAQs

Throughout the pandemic, we have been and will continue to do everything we can to make sure the centre is a safe place to visit and work. That includes following the guidance from Public Health England and the Government.

Q: Are you still open, following the restrictions in Greater Manchester introduced on 31 July 2020?

Yes, the centre is open as usual. In line with the latest Greater Manchester restrictions, please only visit the centre with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with). As a reminder, visitors must also wear a face covering when in the centre unless exempt. Please play your part in following these new guidelines to help keep everyone safe.

Q: Does the rule of six apply in the centre?

Yes

Q: What will you be doing to enforce this?

Our teams will be on hand to support our visitors during their time in the centre. If they feel that anyone is breaking the Government’s rules, then we will speak to them. Please help us to keep everyone safe.

Q: Is it still safe for me to visit the centre now that the restrictions are in place in Greater Manchester?

The safety of everyone who visits Middleton Shopping Centre continues to be our highest priority. Our teams have been briefed on the new guidance and will be reminding people to keep a safe distance. We are also continuing to deep clean key touchpoints like toilets and door handles. As a reminder, visitors must also wear a face covering when in the centre unless exempt.

Q: Do I need to wear a facemask?

Following the Government announcement, as of 24th September, everyone that visits the centre, whether that’s to work, shop or eat, will need to wear a face covering. A face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth; visitors can buy reusable or single-use face coverings as well as also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.

Anyone not wearing one, could be refused entry to the centre or asked to leave. There are some exceptions, these being children under 11, people with disabilities or those with breathing difficulties. Members of the team will be on hand to support our visitors throughout their visit.

Q: I have a health condition/hidden disability – do I need to wear a face mask/face covering?

As per the Government’s guidelines, you do not need to wear a face covering if you have certain health conditions. Please visit our Customer Service Desk to pick up a sunflower lanyard so our staff are aware you are exempt.

Q: Do I need to bring evidence of my health condition if I have a face covering? e.g. letter from doctor

We will not be asking for evidence of your health condition before entering. We do ask however that you just let our friendly staff know that you are exempt on medical grounds, so they do not refuse you access.

Q: Will you supply a face covering for visitors if they need one?

Unfortunately, we will not be supplying face coverings to our visitors.

Q: What are the centre opening hours?

Our centre opening hours are 8am until 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am until 4pm on Sunday. Please be aware that individual retailers may have altered their opening hours in light of safety and available staffing.

Q: How is Middleton Shopping Centre keeping the centre safe?

We are doing everything we can to make sure our centre is a safe places to visit and work. We have social distancing measures throughout the centre, including our car parks, entrances, malls, toilets, facilities and services and back of house areas. Hand sanitiser is available throughout the centre and at the entrances, for use as people come inside and through their visit with us. Soap and hot water are also available in our toilet facilities and we ask that people wash their hands regularly.

We are deep cleaning key touchpoints like toilets and door handles more frequently and that will continue for the foreseeable future. We are asking everyone to play their part too and help us defeat the virus by following the instructions provided by our teams and the safety information that is widely available in centre.

Q: Is social distancing being practiced?

Social distancing has been in place in the centre since the end of March 2020. Floor vinyl’s remind visitors about safe distances whilst walking and queuing in the centre.

Q: Is the centre being cleaned more frequently?

Since the end of March, an enhanced cleaning regime has been in place.
This includes:
1. Enhanced cleaning of common areas and visitor touchpoints (handles, car parking machines, escalator handrails, lift call buttons etc)
2. Enhanced cleaning of the management suite (signing-in iPad, handles, pens etc)
3. A full deep clean and disinfection of the public toilets daily

Q: Is hand sanitiser available for use in the centre?

There are hand sanitiser dispensers available at every entrance and throughout the centre for visitor use in the centre. We encourage you to use these when you enter and exit and after you have touched anything or handled cash. We politely request you do not fill up personal bottles from these dispensers.

Q: How long can I stop at the shopping centre?

To ensure visitor and staff safety, we are asking you to do your shopping as quickly as you can. We look forward to the day when we can welcome you back and you can stay and socialise as long as you wish, but for now, please do your shopping safely.

Q: Can I stop and talk to friends? If so, how can I do this safely?

We are encouraging visitors to only stay for as long as absolutely necessary when visiting. Officers may ask you to keep moving in order for social distancing to be practiced effectively.

Q: Are the public toilets open?

Yes they are open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am – 3pm on Sunday. You can expect risk management measures within the public toilets, including limited numbers at any one time, requirements for the use of a face covering, air sterilisation equipment, enhanced half-hourly cleaning and disinfection regimes, and a daily thorough deep clean and disinfection. We are reminding shoppers to practice social distancing, wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds and please be patient and kind to our cleaning team who are working hard to ensure the facilities are safe and clean.

Q: Is the car park open?

Yes, the car park is open. The number of available spaces will stay the same and we ask you respect social distancing throughout the car park. The car park entry barriers are cleaned regularly throughout the day. Usual car parking charges apply, however please be aware that our pay stations only accept cash at this time.

Q: Are the lifts operating? If so, how is this being made safe?

To maintain social distancing, our lifts will be operational but reserved for disabled and pushchair users only. Only one household per lift is permitted to keep visitors safe. We ask all other visitors to use the stairs.

Q: If I use the stairs, how will social distancing be enforced?

There are dedicated stairs to travel upwards (ground to first) and down (first to ground). We politely request that visitors adhere to this one way system.

Q: Will you be temperature checking people as they come into the centre?

Temperature checking is not part of the Government’s guidelines and isn’t an effective way of screening people for coronavirus. If you do feel unwell or are showing any of the COVID-19 symptoms, please do not visit the centre. Please help us to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible.

We know that the experience will feel different, however we hope these measures will help provide all our visitors with additional reassurance.

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