NON-essential retail stores across the conurbation will be able to open from Monday, April 12 in the latest stage of lockdown easing.

Alongside shops, restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating will swing open their doors once more following over three months of temporary closure.

However, safety measures will be in place for visitors to ensure the safety of everyone.

When will Castlepoint and the Dolphin Shopping Centre reopen?

Both shopping centres will reopen on April 12.

From April 12 to 23 extended opening times for the Dolphin Centre will be in place.

Monday to Friday the centre will be open from 7.30am to 7.30pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays it will be open from 8am to 6.30pm.

The shops within the centre have their own individual opening times.

Castlepoint is offering later trading hours and recommends that shoppers visit between 4pm and 8pm for a quieter shopping experience.

Initially, all stores might not be operating usual trading hours so it is suggested that visitors check those times on the Castlepoint website.

What safety measures will be in place at the Dolphin Centre?

Prior to the lockdown, the centre invested heavily in a range of new health and safety measures.

Contactless hand sanitiser stations have been positioned throughout the centre, whilst enhanced and more frequent cleaning routines are being carried out daily on frequent touch points.

The centre has adapted its layout to reflect social distancing measures.

A one-way system remains in place, along with required social distancing floor markers.

Face coverings are required unless individuals are exempt.

What safety measures will be in place at Castlepoint?

Castlepoint will continue to comply with the advice and safety measures from the government whilst ensuring the safety of its colleagues and customers.

The safety measures in place will ensure that everyone coming into Castlepoint  has a safe, enjoyable, and comfortable shopping experience.

Increased cleaning procedures have been introduced and the shopping park will continue to disinfect all touch points such as trolleys, door handles, toilets and benches regularly.

To help you plan your shopping trip to Castlepoint you can view the live queue times for all stores on the park's website ahead of your visit.

Visitors are asked to respect social distancing and signage is displayed across the shopping park to encourage this.

Each individual store will manage their own limited capacity of customers allowed in the shop at once.

Some of Castlepoint's larger stores have organised a queuing system outside to offer everyone a safer shopping experience.