Matalan getting ready to reopen Northampton store based on “essential” homewares guidance

Matalan is preparing to reopen its Northampton store with a number of strict health and safety measures.

The fashion and homeware chain unlocked 15 stores across the country this week — including one at Milton Keynes — after a tweak in Government guidence listed homeware retailers as essential, allowing them to open again.

Matalan insisted yesterday (Thursday May 21) that the Sixfields site remained closed until further notice.

But the Chronicle & Echo understands furloughed staff have been told to report back to work today (Friday) to prepare for reopening.

A spokesman for the retailer said: "Given the change in Government guidance on May 1 to include homeware as essential retail in England, we are starting to reopen selected stores.

"We will initially be re-opening our spacious stores with large homeware departments and a click-and-collect service.

"These stores are all located on out of town retail parks with parking outside, enabling us to effectively adhere to social distancing guidelines.

"Following our decision to close our stores almost eight weeks ago we’ve been working tirelessly on preparing our stores for reopening with enhanced health and safety measures and strict social distancing guidelines to ensure we offer the safest shopping environment.

"All employees have been trained appropriately and will be provided with full PPE. We are very confident that these safety measures go above and beyond the guidance provided by the Government and Public Health England.

"With these new safety measures in place, we are extremely happy to be back and look forward to welcoming our customers back into stores, and our colleagues returning from furlough. "

Matalan, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, could potentially reopen 168 of its 232 UK stores based on the Government's guidance around homeware retailers.