Bluewater has installed a one-way system as it prepares to reopen as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The Greenhithe shopping centre has been largely closed since Boris Johnson's announcement on March 23.

M&S Food Hall, Boots, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett have remained open as they are deemed essential.

But with the lifting of certain measures from tomorrow the complex has installed new social distancing measures as it prepares to welcome shoppers back.

Pictures sent to KentOnline by reader James Karat show purple tape on the floor with 'keep to the left' and 'don't cross the line' written on it, while a sign has also been erected.

Mr Karat, who lives just around the corner from the centre, explained he had seen the signs while visiting Boots today and says they must have been put down in the last few days as they were not there on Thursday.

He added: "It's mind boggling, how do they think they are going to police it? I go to Bluewater regularly and M&S has been a God send to me but this is just farcical.

"How can the security guards be expected to police it? They can't get within two metres of people if they do ignore the rules. Also if you leave one shop and want to go to the other one opposite you have to walk the whole way around the centre."

Earlier McDonald's confirmed 30 of its drive-thrus will reopen next week while 15 restaurants, including three in Kent, will begin delivering tomorrow.

Garden centres will also reopen while hardware stores and other fast food restaurants have reopened since lockdown was imposed.

Robert Goodman, senior centre director for Bluewater, said: “M&S Foodhall, Boots Pharmacy, plus Holland & Barrett are already open and – following Government advice and guidance – we are working on plans for future store openings as and when it is safe to do so. The health and wellbeing of our guests, our colleagues and our contractors is paramount, so when guidance permits more stores to open, extra measures such as one-way access, two-metre distancing and extra cleaning will be in place. These safety measures build on successful operational models adopted by supermarkets across the UK. Store opening updates and trading hours will be updated on our social media channels.”

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