Trinity Shopping Centre checks shoppers at the door as compulsory mask shopping rules hit Leeds

Shoppers hit the streets of Leeds city centre on Friday, masks on faces and happy to comply with new regulations.
Kirsty Garland, of On The Wall in the Trinity Centre, reacts to the new mask rulesKirsty Garland, of On The Wall in the Trinity Centre, reacts to the new mask rules
Kirsty Garland, of On The Wall in the Trinity Centre, reacts to the new mask rules

Customers and shop staff alike were upbeat and told the Yorkshire Evening Post that people were complying with the new regulations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rules which came into force on Friday mean shoppers in England now have to wear a face covering or mask in shops, unless they are exempt for medical reasons.

A notice on the Victoria Quarter in Leeds city centre asking customers to wear masksA notice on the Victoria Quarter in Leeds city centre asking customers to wear masks
A notice on the Victoria Quarter in Leeds city centre asking customers to wear masks

Phillip Stewart, aged 32, a barista at Leeds city centre coffee shop IF Coffee said that "95 per cent" of people had come wearing masks, but that those who did not had simply forgotten.

He added that people need to keep wearing them, or a second lockdown could end up costing businesses more money in the long run, or even threaten their future entirely.

He said: "We’ve had about 95% of people come in with face masks but the people who have forgot have stood at the doorway and been apologetic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There’s been no refusing or negativity just genuine mistakes. From our perspective, we’re just seeing how the day goes as it’s the first day it’s been in force and it takes getting used to, people genuinely may forget to pick one up it happens. From tomorrow we’ll increase signage and be more hardline from Monday.

The city centre of Leeds on Friday afternoonThe city centre of Leeds on Friday afternoon
The city centre of Leeds on Friday afternoon

“I know it is scientifically correct that we cover our noses and mouths it’s been proven it can stop the spread so it’s right we do it. It’s based on evidence.

“We wear them to protect other people not ourselves. I come into contact with 100s of people and if I didn’t wear one I’d pass it on and the same if someone passed it onto me. If I can make sure I don’t spread it to other people then that’s great and masks do that.

“I do worry from a business perspective that if other business don’t stick by the rules then people might go there instead if they forget there masks for example. But on the other hand if we don’t wear them and go back into lockdown, we won’t survive. It will close our business.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

-> Where to buy Leeds United face masks and coveringsKirsty Garland, sales manager at On The Wall in the Trinity Shopping Centre, said: "I think security have been stopping people from coming in because I haven’t had to deal with anyone attempting to come in.

"I think it’s right that it’s mandatory because we get a lot of customers through here. We don’t want to get sick and we don’t want customers to get sick. If I’m honest, I suspect we will go back into a lockdown anyway but if we can slow that down a bit that will be good.

"Wearing masks has got to be a good thing because we’ve seen that it works in the other countries which have been wearing them all along. The infection is lower. I think making everyone wear them will make people more comfortable with it"

-> The shops where masks are mandatory - and who is exemptShoppers react to new mask and face covering regulations

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Joanne Cocker, 36, from Armley, was out shopping in Leeds city centre.

She said wearing the face masks “doesn’t bother her”, adding: “We’ve been wearing them in the shops but have just taken them off now we’re outside as it is so warm.

"It doesn’t bother me wearing them if it keeps us safe.

“Everyone should wear one. Most people I’ve seen are wearing them, everyone was in Primark. They are stopping people outside The Trinity Centre if they’re not wearing masks”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.