Phone networks to restart opening stores from June 15
EE, O2, Three and Vodafone will begin the process of re-opening its retail stores from June 15th, however there will be some stores remaining closed and others opening later.
In a statement from Vodafone, attached below, some stores inside London will remain closed due to staff requiring the use of public transport to get to work.
All networks will be implementing measures to limit the number of customers in store, and maintain social distancing.
The full Vodafone statement:
We will begin re-opening our stores from 15th June. Our plan is initially to open approximately 65 stores, followed by a further approx. 300 stores a week later (from 23rdJune). Some of our inner London stores in will remain closed for now because our staff would need to take public transport to get to them.
We know from where we have re-opened stores in other countries, such as in Italy and Spain, that some customers prefer to go into a store for support and advice. We are keen to meet this need, but the safety of our staff and customers will always be our top priority.
Our stores have been adapted to enable social distancing, we have put in place extensive cleaning and hygiene measures, including alcohol-based hand gel at every point of entry, there will be no devices on display and there will be a limit on the number of customers in a store at any one time. We have created a new ‘concierge’ role in store, to manage customer experience and identify any key workers so they can get the help they need in a timely fashion.
Our retail colleagues will be working on set shift patterns so they are always with the same people. They will also be given their own sales terminal to be used only by them, will be avoiding public transport (and working from home if this isn’t possible) and will be given a personal stylus so they can help customers with their devices without having to touch them.
And of course, anyone who is vulnerable will be able to continue working from home, serving those customers who want to access our online and phone support services.