Patrollers at Weston Favell Shopping Centre in Northampton are doubling down on efforts to encourage customers to wear masks

Weston Favell Shopping centre will be pushing on in their efforts to encourage their shoppers to wear a face mask throughout October.

The shopping centre has employed patrollers wearing pink to walk around the building, thanking those who are wearing masks and approaching those who are not to encourage them to put one on and protect other shoppers and staff.

The one-way system in the shopping centre will continue to remain in place to adhere to the two-metre social distancing guideline. The pink patrollers will be moving around the shopping centre with arrows to point shoppers into the correct lane if required.

Government guidelines currently state that wearing an appropriate face-covering in shops and supermarkets in England is mandatory. Weston Favell shopping centre is encouraging shoppers to get on board with this guidance to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus and protect staff as well as customers.

A spokesperson for Weston Favell shopping centre said they understand that some people may not be able to wear a mask and they have asked that those who are exempt from wearing masks wear a Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard to make staff aware that they have a valid reason.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme has proven effective in allowing customers to discreetly indicate to staff that they are unable to safely wear a mask when shopping. Weston Favell Shopping centre has advised shoppers with hidden disabilities to consider purchasing one of the scheme’s lanyards.

Weston Favell Shopping centre are also reminding shoppers that their nose must be covered as well as their mouth for the mask to be effective. A mask may only be removed if shoppers are sitting down to dine in one of the eateries in the centre or if they are leaving the building. Shoppers have been asked to not remove their masks when making phone calls or talking to other members of the public.

The shopping centre is continuing to offer a free service for shoppers to bring in clean cotton material, such as bedsheets or pillow cases and they will make up to two masks per person with an optional donation to go to the Weston Favell Food Bank. This is on a first come, first served basis.

More information can be found on the Weston Favell Shopping centre’s website.