Sunderland city centre stores 'excited' to welcome customers back from lockdown on Monday, June 15

The Echo, as part of its #SupportLocal campaign, has spoken to established names in the centre of Sunderland ahead of Monday, June 15, when stores earlier deemed by the Government to be selling “non essential” goods are finally able to welcome back face-to-face customers.

The jewellery shop

A jewellery shop director has promised shoppers they will still enjoy “a fantastic customer experience” as his business prepares to introduce new safety measures.

Harry Collinson and sister Rachael Collinson-Mather together run the Sunderland franchise of international retailer Pandora.

In line with the company’s other branches, staff will be wearing masks and gloves when the store, which is inside The Bridges shopping centre, reopens on June 15.

Customers will also be invited to use hand sanitisers on entering the shop’s new one-way system with numbers initially restricted to six at any one time in line with current social distancing guidance.

They will still be allowed to try on jewellery with any unsold items withdrawn from view until they are cleaned at the end of the day and returned to display cabinets the following morning.

Harry, whose parents, Harry and Sandra, own the nearby Collinsons jewellery store, which is also due to reopen on June 15, said: “We know how much the people of Sunderland love Pandora products and they are now going to get a chance to see the new collections for the first time.

“As a company Pandora takes the customer experience, and their safety, very seriously so shoppers needn’t be concerned about being safe.

“Although we are part of a big international brand, we are very much a local company and support the community in lots of different ways.

“We support local charities, families and events so we would hope that shoppers coming back will recognise that and continue to shop local.

“It’s been a hard time for everyone but the only way we can truly recover is to get the local economy moving again and that’s about spending money with the shops on your doorstep.

“At Pandora we’ve also prided ourselves on giving our shoppers a fantastic customer experience and that’s not going to change.

“We will be doing that again in a friendly and safe environment.”

The menswear specialist

A successful independent menswear store has reminded customers of the importance of supporting local businesses when they shop.

Aphrodite, in Vine Place, Sunderland, celebrated a quarter of a century last September since it was founded in 1994 by brothers Andy and Duncan McKenzie.

Its reputation for stocking clothing ranges from famous names such as Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith and Hugo Boss has attracted a loyal customers from as far away as Carlisle and helped the business expand from four members of staff to 35.

Andy, 47, said: “Like everyone else, we can’t wait to open the doors again to our customers and we really hope that shoppers will head to Sunderland rather than anywhere else.

“All of our staff are based locally so when people shop with us they’re not just supporting the store, they’re supporting the employees and their jobs and there has never been a more important time to do that.

“We have been trading online during lockdown as always. But now we’re very excited for customers to be able to see in person our latest lines.

“Deliveries have been coming in thick and fast in the last week or so, which means when we open on June 15 there will lots of great clothes for people to see.

“Obviously we’ve taken notice of all the guidelines and introduced measures into the shop to ensure it’s a safe environment for everyone.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is that people support the businesses in the city, they are the heartbeat of the city.”

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