Poundland coming out of hibernation in Northampton's Gold Street

More signs of Northampton town centre coming back to life as Poundland's Gold Street store ends eight weeks of hibernation on Monday.

The site is one of 30 reopening under what the discount retailer is calling 'Project Sleeping Beauty.'

Poundland kept its Abington Street shop plus three out-of-town sites open during the Covid-19 lockdown after being deemed an essential retailer by the Government.

The Gold Street site was shuttered as the town centre was left deserted with people following advice to stay at home.

Poundland’s retail director Austin Cooke said: "We kept most of our stores open for essential shopping but placed one-in-nine stores in hibernation, largely where we had another store close by.

“Operation Sleeping Beauty will see us gently begin the process of bringing stores out of hibernation.

"Robust health and safety measures will operate as they do in all Poundland stores that remained open.

"We will have marshals at the door to limit the number of customers in store at any one time, floor markers to help customers maintain social distancing and perspex screens at manned checkouts to protect colleagues and customers."

“We’ve never been prouder of our role as a retailer at the heart of communities and high streets.

“While safety has to come first, we’re delighted to be able to begin reopening hibernating Poundland stores to fully serve those communities across the UK with the essentials they need.”

Local fruit and veg trader Eamon Fitzpatrick is also back to business in Northampton's market square this week for the first time in seven weeks, joining Hung Vo Fruit & Veg and M&G Butchers who have carried on trading during the lockdown.