Trinity Leeds, White Rose and Victoria Gate shopping centres reveal reopening plans and safety changes

The government announced that retail shops can reopen on June 15 - but only if strict social distancing measures are met.

Victoria Leeds, which runs the Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate, has officially announced that it will reopen on June 15.

However, Landsec, the company which owns Trinity Leeds and White Rose shopping centre, said that the centres and "planning" to open on June 15 but will only open if it is "safe to do so."

A spokesman for Landsec said: "Following Government advice and guidance in recent weeks, we have been working on plans for future store openings as and when it is safe to do so.

“The latest Government update advised retailers to welcome back customers from June 15 and this is what we are planning towards.

"However, the health and wellbeing of our guests, our colleagues and our contractors is paramount so we will only reopen our non-essential stores if the current Government advice remains in place and it is safe to do so.

He added: "Extra measures such as one-way systems, two-metre distancing, hand sanitisers and extra cleaning will be in place, and the Trinity and White Rose security and concierge teams will be available to help manage queuing and capacity.

"FAQs will be added to the Trinity Leeds and White Rose websites soon and, closer to June 15, guests will also be able to check online to see which stores are open.

"The centres’ social media channels will also be updated with additional information and trading hours details."

Victoria Leeds, home to the John Lewis and Harvey Nichols department stores, has implemented a range of health and safety measures in preparation for the June reopening.

Clear signage has been put in place throughout the Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate to remind customers follow social distancing guidelines and not to shop in large groups.

An enhanced cleaning process has been put implemented with a focus on thorough cleaning on customer touch points.

A queue system will be introduced to manage capacity and there will be a live footfall monitoring system in place.

Hand sanitiser stations will be installed throughout both centres.

All customer-facing staff will wear protective clothing

Customers will be encouraged to use contactless payment with retailers for transactions

Victoria Leeds has advised customers to check specific brand's opening times and

Jo Coburn, General Manager at Victoria Leeds, said: "It has been a really challenging time for everyone, and we are hugely grateful to the key workers that have done so much over the past few months.

"At Victoria Leeds, we’re working really hard to make sure we can re-open on 15 June, and that we can do so safely.

"We ask that people be patient with us though, as the way we shop is going to be different for a while, and visits might take longer than usual.

"We can’t wait to re-open, and to welcome back our customers."

Mark Bourgeois, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Hammerson, owner of Victoria Gate, said: “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of all of our customers, retailers and colleagues.

"We have considered carefully how to create an operating environment that allows the centre and brands to reopen safely.

"Throughout our destinations we will display clear information for consumers on how to shop in this new environment, and we also have technology in place allowing us to monitor visitor numbers, to ensure there are never too many people in our spaces at any one time.”