Property giants Westfield and Landsec prepare for shopping centre reopenings

The property giants are racing to establish social distancing measures at their most popular centres and increase other safety precautions as non-essential retailers prepare to open their doors for businesses once again.

Footfall is expected to increase when retailers reopen, subject to government guidelines, from June 1 onwards.

Ahead of that date, Westfield parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has unveiled a raft of measures it will introduce at its prime Stratford and White City shopping centres, including one-way systems, live footfall cameras to manage the number of people entering, floor stickers to mark two-metre gaps and increased cleaning.

In its car parks, customers will only be able to use every other space, while staff will be on hand to check shoppers are adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s regional managing director for the UK and Italy Scott Parsons told the Evening Standard: “We don’t underestimate the importance of getting these measures right, not only to ensure everyone coming into our centres is safe, but that they also feel confident that their wellbeing is genuinely being considered at every point.”

Landsec, which part owns Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, is also installing floor stickers and signs to remind shoppers to adhere to social distancing regulations.

The landlords will install new sanitising stations and security and concierge teams will help manage queuing across its centres.

Landsec’s head of property operations Jamie Taylor said: “Safety is our highest priority. We’re working hard to ensure we adhere to all government guidelines at our sites across the capital and beyond, and will be taking a robust approach to cleanliness and hygiene.”

Revo chief executive Vivienne King – who will form part of the panel on Retail Week’s next virtual event, discussing the future of the high street, on Thursday – added: “Provided people are reassured they are coming into safe environments, property owners and retailers anticipate strong demand when non-essential retail reopens, with consumers expected to welcome the opportunity to return to high streets and shopping centres after two months of lockdown.”