WITH Oxfordshire’s best-known shopping center set to close again on Thursday, Tim Hughes visited see how it was enforcing the rules as consumers took a last opportunity to stockpile on labels
NO RETAIL destination in Oxfordshire is taking coronavirus as seriously as Bicester Village.
The North Oxfordshire designer outlet centre is among the county’s greatest attractions, and even in the midst of a pandemic is drawing in thousands of consumers with the guarantee of unsurpassable discounts on high-end designer fashion items from the similarity Versace, Calvin Klein, Polo and Tommy Hilfiger.
While the centre has previously come in for criticism for stopping working to impose social distancing, both centre management and private stores appear to be strictly implementing the guidelines.
It is a design of Covid-safety.
Visitors are asked to queue– at a distance– to enter the ‘town’, with style park-style ropes zig-zagging into the parking lot. They then pass through a small marquee where thermal imaging technology extracts anybody running a temperature.
Numbers of shoppers are restricted, with a refreshing absence of crowds on its single road.
Shops are also restricting numbers, with consumers required to check in and wait by personnel equipped with iPads. A couple of, such as the intimately-proportioned Levi’s store, were running a one-out, one-in system, while others were taking information and asking shoppers to come back later on.
At the expansive Barbour store– offering waxed coats and high-end country wear– we were told to wait on an hour. Obviously we didn’t; nobody needs a quilted gilet that severely.
All personnel wore masks or visors and were polite however firm. Shoppers were also following the guidelines with patience and excellent humour. I did not see a single person without a mask anywhere within the precinct of the village– inside your home or out.
Bicester Town was approached for a discuss how managers felt about a second lockdown and on its success in applying the rules, but did not respond.
However, a member of staff at one of its stores, who asked to remain confidential, was critical of some consumers, stating: “I think errors have been made on all sides, however what I would say is that the cravings for restrictions and precaution that have been put in location have actually been met by ridicule and, sometimes, abuse for personnel.
” We can put limitations in place however the general public must take duty. They also have an option whether to shop or not. Even when we restricted entrance numbers, individuals grumbled. We can not win.
” What I have actually learned is that Covid is here to stay. All of our shops are Covid-secure however duty for controlling the infection falls on all of us.”.
Daniel Fox visited on Sunday. He stated: “I was amazed that they were taking it seriously. Everyone was masked up and security staff were examining individuals entering into the village to make certain no one had a temperature level.
” Shop staff were likewise rigorous – though a few of the waiting times are ridiculous. If that’s what it takes to be safe, that’s reasonable enough.”.
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