NATURE lovers will be able to buy plants and outdoor products from their local garden centre again after Dobbies announced it is to reopen its store in Renfrew this week.

The UK’s leading garden centre retailer will reopen its 12 stores across Scotland on Friday, including the Braehead store in Kings Inch Drive, with a number of new social distancing measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

A limited number of customers will be permitted in the stores at one time and a queuing system will be in operation, with two metre markers in place to ensure social distancing.

Protective screens will be installed at tills and customers are asked to pay with card or contactless, where possible.

The restaurants and soft plays will remain temporarily closed and appropriate PPE will be provided for team members. 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We welcome this updated guidance from the Scottish Government, enabling us to reopen our 12 stores across Scotland on Friday 29 May. 

“The safety of our team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority and following advice from the Government, Horticultural Trades Association and British Retail Consortium, social distancing measures have been implemented.

 “We began reopening our other UK stores on Monday 11 May and we have now successfully opened 56 stores across Wales, England and Northern Ireland. It has been a very positive start to trading, with customers most interested in buying plants, gardening products and outdoor furniture, as they are keen to spend time in their gardens this Spring.

“I would like to thank our team members and customers for their understanding during these uncertain times.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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