Safe Shopping at Monkhouse – A COVID Secure Employer

Since the COVID19 pandemic began, we have prioritised the safety and wellbeing of colleagues and customers.  Through the lock down period, we have worked hard to re-invent our store and online offer and are delighted to be able to re-open our stores on a phased basis from June 15^th.

COVID Secure Policy & Procedures

The re-opening of stores follows rigorous implementation of our new in store safety procedures that have been developed with the support of colleagues, management and external consultants. 

Our new enhanced health and safety measures ensure that every open Monkhouse store is fully compliant with social distancing rules, with employees trained appropriately and provided with full PPE.  We are confident that these safety measures are fully compliant with the guidance provided by the UK Government, Public Health England and the Department of Health.  Measures that we have implemented in store include:

• Completing risk assessments across all sites
• Establishing new safe working practices to reduce the risk of COVID19 transference
• Rolled out a comprehensive training and communications to all colleagues on our new working processes
• Reduced the number of customers allowed in store to enable social distancing
• Introduced clear signage and floor markings, where appropriate
• Appointed a designated colleague to meet all customers on store entry to ensure new safety procedures are understood
• Provided hand sanitiser for customers
• Provided PPE for staff
• Installed clear screens at tills, where appropriate
• Trained all our team to support social distancing
• Ensured that any ‘try on garments’ are fresh
• Increased store cleaning procedures including regular disinfecting of high touch points

All New Appointment System for Personalised & Safe Shopping

I am really pleased to confirm that we have implemented a new appointment system designed for children and their parents who are starting a new school in September with all other customers being asked to shop using our new and updated website. 

The appointment system limits the number of customers who can shop in our stores at any one time.  This means that customers can book appointments well in advance and that they can be assured of receiving a personalised and safe shopping experience.

Our Offices & Distribution Centres

Our work to implement new COVID Secure work practices has also led to significant changes to our offices and distribution centres to ensure that all colleagues are safe.  Measures include:

• Completing risk assessments across all sites
• Establishing new safe working practices to reduce the risk of COVID19 transference
• Rolled out a comprehensive training and communications to all colleagues on our new working processes
• All colleagues who can work at home have been supported to do so
• Introduced clear signage and floor markings, where appropriate
• Provided hand sanitiser and PPE for colleagues
• Trained all our team to support social distancing
• Increased cleaning procedures

Welcoming Customers & Colleagues back

As we all start getting used to a ‘new normal’, we are delighted to be gradually welcoming our customers back into stores across England and Wales, and our colleagues returning from furlough. We are extremely grateful to all of our colleagues for their dedicated efforts in caring for our customers and the business, and to our customers for their continued loyalty to Monkhouse.

Should you require any additional information on our store safety measures or copies of the risk assessments that have been completed across the business, please email hrdepartment@banner.co.uk 

Peter Monkhouse
Managing Director