QD – QualityDiscounts.com has announced that it is to reopen its stores at Oakham on Wednesday (June 10) as part of a phased reopening of branches across the country.

The store is currently putting in measures to ensure strict social distancing, allowing customers to circulate safely.

QD, which sells a wide range of food, pet and convenience items, as well as homewares, household and garden items, is classed as an essential retailer, and has been monitoring when it would be appropriate to allow customers to return.

QD group operations director, Karl Ottolangui, said:"Following a successful trial of our larger stores, we have been carrying out a phased reopening of our branches across the country. We are delighted to be able to reopen more stores on Wednesday and to welcome even more of our customers back.

"Regardless of QD being classified as an essential retailer, we closed at the end of March for the wellbeing of our staff and customers and have been considering when it would appropriate and safe to reopen.

"We have been carefully studying how other essential retailers have handled social distancing to allow them to reopen while keeping staff and customers safe. As a result, we have put in place measures that follow best practice and the advice of the government and the British Retail Consortium.

"This does mean that we must strictly limit how many customers can be in the store at any one time, so customers may need to queue before coming in. We have had lots of very positive feedback about the measures we have put in place at the stores we have already opened. Our customers and staff have told us they feel very safe and are confident about shopping and working in our stores."

QD has created a designated queuing area outside the entrance. Markers are being placed at two metre intervals to help customers respect each other's personal space.The store also has two metre floor markers inside, and all checkouts are provided with protective plastic screens.

When QD temporarily closed its doors at the end of March it donated perishable goods to a wide range of local charities and community groups including Oakham Food Bank which used the donations to create food and essentials parcels for local elderly people.

Aneta Ozga, store manager at QD in Oakham, said: "All of the team here at QD are very excited to be back and serving our customers again. We are ensuring our shelves are fully stocked and looking forward to being able to supply all our customers' needs.

"However, for the safety of our customers and staff, we do ask you to bear with us if you have to queue, and to obey the social distancing procedures we have in place, as we are limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time. We are providing cleaning stations for our trolleys, encouraging contactless or card payments and asking customers to shop alone if at all possible."

QD is at Church Street in Oakham and at www.QualityDiscounts.com.