A CHANGE in Government coronavirus guidance around garden centres and nurseries is seeing many across the district reopen their doors.

New Coley Nurseries in Denholme is one such business, which is bringing in a host of measures to protect both staff and customers alike.

Oliver Kenny of the family run firm, which has been operating for more than two decades, told the Telegraph and Argus, that while they had been operating a delivery service for the last eight weeks, they were opening back up to the public from Friday.

He said: “We were able to adapt quickly, taking on ten staff and hiring extra vans to run the delivery service and we had so many people thanking us – by phone, email or even letter – saying that they were so grateful that we had been able to offer this service and what a lifeline it had been for them.”

He added that despite the difficulties the lockdown brought, they had not needed to throw any plants away and had actually seen an increase in the average sale through the delivery service.

They were taking an extra couple of days to get the right measures in place before reopening at 9.30am on Friday morning, he said.

These include a ticketed waiting system in the car park, allowing customers to wait in the car until their number is called, so they don’t need to stand in a lengthy queue.

Staff will be equipped with masks and trolleys sanitised as well as screens installed at the tills. The layout of the nursery has also been amended slightly to allow the two metre distance to be kept.

The delivery service will continue and a click and collect service will also be trialled.

Mr Kenny added: “We have been open for 25 years and we want to be around for another 25.

“We want to thank our loyal customers for supporting us through these difficult times.”

Other nurseries and garden centres in the district have already opened following the Government announcement that such stores could reopen from yesterday.

Tong Garden Centre is limiting people in its store to ensure every can stay two metres apart. Customers must use a trolley and groups are limited to two per household.

Certain sections of the garden centre will be closed, such as the restaurant, patisserie, deli and Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play, and of its retailers, only Maidenhead Aquatics will be open.

ACW Garden Centre on Canal Road has brought in measures to limit the numbers of customers and implemented a queuing system outside during busy times.

Screens have been installed at the tills and payment by contactless card is preferred. The coffee shop remains closed.

The firm will continue its delivery service for customers who do not wish to visit the store.