Nottingham’s Victoria Centre has announced details of opening times in the run up to Christmas.
With stores set to reopen on 2 December, opening hours have been adapted to allow for a socially distanced Christmas shopping experience.
Late night shopping will be available Monday – Saturday, with many stores staying opening until 8pm, allowing people to spread out their shopping time.
The December opening times will be as follows:
From Wednesday 2 December:
Monday – Saturday: 8am – 8pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Christmas Eve: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 11am – 5pm
(These times are correct at time of writing but are subject to change in line with the government’s guidelines.)
As it has been announced that Nottinghamshire will be in Tier 3 following the lifting of the national lockdown, the centre’s food outlets will be operating on a takeaway only basis and there will be no seating in the centre to minimise touchpoints.
As was the case before this lockdown, York Street pedestrian doors will be closed. Visitors are requested to use lifts with one household bubble at a time and to use the car park ‘tap n go’ payment system.
Despite restrictions, recent CACI research has shown that 62% of customers are planning to spend more money this Christmas, with 20% of those surveyed saying that they have been waiting for stores to reopen before doing their Christmas shopping.
Commenting on the findings, Nigel Wheatley, centre director at Victoria Centre, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming back shoppers to the centre, who I’m sure are eager to feel some Christmas joy and spoil their loved ones, making use of the retailers we have here. It’s been a difficult year, so we are giving people plenty of extra time to do that safely.
“Several of our retailers are making changes too to make things easier for visitors.
“As children have continued to grow throughout lockdown, childrenswear is expected to be at the top of many parents’ shopping list. Both River Island and Next are making changes to their operations, including reviewing store layouts to accommodate for extra demand.
“The centre team is working hard to provide extra cleaning, hand sanitiser stations and guidance for shoppers. We ask that everyone who visits the centre follows the guidelines to keep staff and fellow shoppers safe, including the requirement to wear face coverings.
“We expect to be busy over the next few weeks as Christmas gets closer. Visitors may at times have to join socially distanced queues for individual shops, facilities and the toilets, as more frequent cleaning will be in place to make the centre as safe as possible.”
In addition to the extended Christmas opening times and safety measures, Victoria Centre is also bringing back its Giving Box for visitors to donate gifts to Gem 106’s Mission Christmas, which will help provide families in need with presents to open on Christmas Day. Situated on the Upper Mall, outside John Lewis & Partners, the Giving Box will be in place until Sunday 20 December.
Nigel continued: “Christmas is a time to reflect and after a turbulent year, it’s only right that we give something back to people who need it the most. Our shoppers have always been amazingly generous and we’re hoping they will find time again to drop off a gift, no matter how big or small.”
For additional information or changes, please see individual retailer websites or follow Victoria Centre’s social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and the centre’s new website: www.victoria-centre.com
For individual store opening times, please check the websites of retailers.