SHOPPERS are set for a new experience at The Royals as work gets underway to re-open stores after lockdown.

The shopping centre will be welcoming back visitors on June 15 following Government guidance, however the centre will work differently than before.

There will only be three entrance points open on Heygate Road, opposite Southend bus station, plus the High Street and via the first floor of the car park.

Customers must then follow a one-way system throughout the building and various shops, with floor stickers dotted around the site to guide people.

The centre said it will not hesitate to bring in queuing measures if the shops become too overcrowded.

Dawn Jeakings, centre manager, said: “We want the re-opening transition to be as safe as possible for our loyal customers.

“Our customer care team will be on hand to assist with any questions our customers have, and ensure that the shopping experience is as easy and as convenient as possible.

“We do have to make adjustments to make this possible and we feel secure that this has been achieved.

“I would like to thank the NHS and all keyworkers who have kept this country going throughout these most unprecedented times.”

Shopping centre care staff will be deployed to assist and there will be guidelines at information points and as people enter the shopping malls.

There will be a number of sanitisation stations in the centre, and reminder notices to cleanse after making contact with fixtures such as the cash point and car park payment facilities.

Contactless card payments are recommended where possible.

The second level of the car park will be re-opened for people to “shop and go” but toilet facilities will be closed, and some stores may operate on different opening hours than before.