Drake Circus and The Barcode reopens non-essential stores today

In line with Government guidance for Tier 2 areas, non-essential stores at Drake Circus will be welcoming shoppers once again from today (Wednesday 2nd December), and cafes and restaurants will be offering both a dine-in and take away service.

This includes The Cosy Cub, Nando’s, Five Guys and Zizzi in The Barcode, as well as Paradise Island Adventure Golf.

To help keep visitors safe, Drake Circus has a one-way ‘keep right’ system, hand sanitising stations and enhanced cleaning regimes in place. All visitors must wear a face covering within the centre unless exempt for medical reasons, or they are fully seated in a designated dining area.

The centre team will continue to carefully manage visitor numbers to ensure that everyone can maintain social distancing. If the centre becomes particularly busy, visitors may be asked to queue considerately in a designated area, and car parks may also temporarily close.

Throughout December the centre will be open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays, with late night shopping on Thursdays until 8pm.

More than 20 retailers are extending their opening hours further to help ensure safe shopping, these include Boots, H&M, JD Sports, Primark and M&S. More information can be found on the Drake Circus website (https://www.drakecircus.com/eatdrinkshop) or by contacting individual retailers directly.

Shoppers are being encouraged to visit outside of peak times if they can, with quieter times usually mid-morning or late afternoon and into the early evening on weekdays. Customers can park for £2 if arriving after 5pm and leaving before the car park closes.

Many retailers will also be offering a click-and-collect service, meaning that shoppers can place their order in advance and collect at a time to suit them.

Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Drake Circus.

“We know Christmas is going to be very different this year and so we’re doing everything we can to help everyone enjoy a safe shopping and dining experience this festive season.”