BOLTON town centre is set to reopen to more shoppers today, but it will not be the same place people remember.

With non-essential shops allowed to open their doors for the first time since coronavirus lockdown measures came in on March 23, huge swathes of the high street will be welcoming back much-needed customers.

However, shoppers will still need to practise social distancing with measures such as keeping to the left on pavements and managed queues outside individual stores all part of the ‘new normal’.

“We’re getting ready to re-open on June 15 and have started to make changes for when we do, which will include a one way system, safe distancing communications and sanitiser stations around the centre,” said a spokesperson for Bolton Market Place shopping centre.

A number of major stores in the town have also announced new precautions as they prepare to start trading again.

Primark has confirmed it will be re-opening all of its 153 stores in England with strict social distancing protocol, personal protection for employees and customers and increased in-store cleaning in place.

Primark CEO, Paul Marchant, said: “While it might take a little longer to get into store, once inside, customers will find all their favourite Primark products and plenty of choice as usual. We have worked hard to make sure that clear signage and extra help will be there to guide them through the changes we have made to allow for social distancing.

“We are also asking customers to respect the measures we have put in place to help ensure shopping at Primark is an enjoyable, safe experience for everyone.”

Currys PC World is another big name reopening with its store in Bolton Gate announcing plans to launch as one of 131 expert ‘Tech Help Hubs’ to support customers with existing tech needs.

For three days, the stores will recycle all old or unused tech, no matter where it was purchased, and help customers with any tech advice and problem-solving questions they may have. A limited number of customers allowed in store at one time, with a one-way system and clear floor-markings to keep customers at least 2m apart.