SOUTHAMPTON'S Westquay centre will open on June 15 with social distancing measures in place.

The centre, which has appointed an inspection organisation to approve of its reopening plans, says some restaurants will now be open for takeaway and delivery.

Safety measures will include a one-way system, enhanced cleaning processes, live monitoring of footfall, the introduction of queues at busy periods, the installation of hand sanitiser stations, and customers being encouraged to use contactless payment.

Laura Read, General Manager at Westquay, said: “It has been a really challenging time for everyone, and we are hugely grateful to the key workers that have done so much over the past few months.

"At Westquay, we’re working really hard to make sure we can re-open on 15 June, and that we can do so safely. We ask that people be patient with us though, as the way we shop is going to be different for a while, and visits might take longer than usual.

"We can’t wait to re-open, and to welcome back our customers.”

Mark Bourgeois, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Hammerson, said: “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all of our customers, retailers and colleagues. We have considered carefully how to create an operating environment that allows the centre and brands to reopen safely.

“Throughout our destinations we will display clear information for consumers on how to shop in this new environment, and we also have technology in place allowing us to monitor visitor numbers, to ensure there are never too many people in our spaces at any one time.”