More shops at Riverside complex due to open this week

Date published: 01 July 2020

More shops are due to open this week at Rochdale’s new Riverside complex.

Boasting major high street names including M&S, Next and Nando’s, to name a few, the complex was originally due to open on 6 April 2020, but the launch was shelved after the country went into lockdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite this, the Marks and Spencer foodhall has been open since 6 April, and from 15 June the M&S clothing and home departments also opened. The new River Island store opened on 27 June.

Now, three months after the original launch date, non-essential shops such as H&M, Next and Heavenly Desserts are set to start opening this week. This follows the relaxation of current government guidelines relating to Covid-19 and retail customers.

Riverside have announced that eatery Heavenly Desserts will be the first to open; initially opening on Wednesday 1 July 5pm - 11pm for delivery or collection and then opening to customers on Saturday 4 July at 3pm.

Popular clothing stores H&M and Next will be open from Thursday 2 July followed by Reel Cinema which opens at 10am on Saturday 4 July.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/128/advertorials/135220/the-wait-for-reel-cinema-is-finally-over

JD Sports opens on Sunday 5 July, followed by Bean cafe on Tuesday 7 July, Superdrug on Friday 10 July and Boots on Wednesday 15 July.

Visitors are being asked by the government to shop local and not travel further than necessary to ensure the safety of customers and workers, as well as ensuring that the transmission of coronavirus remains low.

A number of measures are in place to help people stay safe and follow guidance on social distancing and other public safety measures.

• Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the scheme and available for all customers to use.
• The car park will operate contactless “tap out” on exit payment system where possible to avoid use of parking machines.
• There will be floor vinyls and signage in place across the scheme to encourage social distancing of 2m as per government guidelines.
• All stores will operate a queuing system to maintain a safe capacity inside. Floor vinyls will be visible to highlight safe queuing distances.
• An increased level of cleaning will be implemented with staff on-site all day to ensure the highest standards are maintained.

Opening dates for Nando's and Puttstars - an indoor mini-golf centre - are yet to be confirmed. Existing Boots and Superdrug stores remain open in the Exchange Shopping Centre until the new stores open in Riverside.

The Riverside is a huge part of plans to revive Rochdale town centre and has been delivered by the council together with private sector partners Genr8 and Kajima.