Get ready for queuing, one-way systems and no trying on clothes before you buy them.

More non-essential shops will be reopening in Kent from Monday after being given the green light by the government to trade again - but what is it going to be like for shoppers?

We've put together a comprehensive guide on what to expect if you visit shopping centres or high streets across the county.

Ashford - County Square

Bosses say they are looking forward to seeing their loyal customers return and have implemented a one-way system which will be clearly marked with posters on the floor, barriers and designated turning points.

Stacey Bell, centre director, said: "We have a new live counting system to monitor the number of people in the centre to ensure customers have sufficient space for social distancing, have enhanced our cleaning regimes particularly in key areas such as washrooms and lifts, and have ordered sanitising stations which will be installed in due course.

"Additionally, the County Square team will be on hand in the malls to assist customers with the new changes.

"Some of the key retailers confirmed for Monday are JD Sports, Poundland, Body Shop, The Entertainer, H & M and A Simmonds Jewellers to name a few.

"We recommend customers check our social media platforms or individual store websites to check when their favourite stores are back in operation.

"The shopping experience will be slightly different, but we hope our customers will be patient and cooperative in following the new measures and continue to enjoy their regular visits".

Bluewater

Kent's largest shopping centre will have a one-way system and hand sanitiser stations when it welcomes shoppers back.

Customers will have to follow the purple signs on the floor showing which way to walk, although the number of people allowed in will be limited.

Robert Goodman, senior centre director at Bluewater, said: “Safety is our highest priority. We’re working hard to ensure we adhere to all government guidelines at Bluewater, and will be taking a robust approach to cleanliness and hygiene.

"As well as the thorough cleaning of the centre, we will be using floor stickers and signs to remind guests to keep the required distance apart, will be providing hand sanitiser for guests and staff to use at a number of points throughout the centre, and our security and concierge team will be available to help manage queuing.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming our guests back and will be fully compliant with government guidance at all times.”

Broadstairs - Westwood Cross

One-way systems, hand gel stations and queue management will be introduced at the site near Broadstairs.

Primark will be one of the major retailers to reopen, along with Debenhams. Steven Cook, managing director of the company, said: "Preparations for reopening are well underway, with strict social distancing and hygiene procedures being implemented across all stores in adherence with the latest government guidance and instruction."

On its Facebook page, the team at Westwood Cross said: "We're monitoring government advice and working hard to prepare the centre.

"For the safety and security of our customers, Westwood Cross will have a monitored one-way system around the centre, hand gel stations, and directional arrows.

"We are also liaising with retailers about queue management."

Canterbury, Herne Bay, Tankerton, Whitstable

Temporary tarrifs are being introduced at car parks in Canterbury while all three of the city's Park and Ride car parks will be open at a charge of 50p a day. Buses won't be running but the facility will allow people to walk or cycle into the city.

Hand sanitising stations will also be available in all main car parks.

Social distance markings on the ground have been put in place and there will be fewer stallholders and street traders to allow for people to stay two metres apart. Signs will also be displayed welcoming visitors and shoppers and asking them to keep a safe distance and take their time.

More public toilets will be available across the district.

Leader of Canterbury City Council, Cllr Robert Thomas, said: "As lockdown is lifted it is really important for us to work together to reinvigorate our high streets by making them look as good as they can and support businesses to help their customers and staff stay safe.

"These are the first steps towards the district getting back on its feet and supporting the district’s longer-term economic recovery will be a priority for the weeks and months to come.

"None of us have faced this sort of challenge before so we need to be fleet of foot, able to adapt quickly, spot problems and come up with innovative answers.

"What we do on Monday might need to be changed by Thursday as we better understand people’s behaviour and needs in what will become a new normal. This will be even more important as different parts of the various strands of the economy are unlocked each with their unique needs."

Dartford

The message in the town centre will be loud and clear - keep safe, be kind and it's good to see you again.

Dartford council has spent the past month preparing a softly-softly approach to the opening of its high street and shopping centres in the run-up to Monday.

Banners and flyers are being plastered everywhere, pleading with customers to keep their distance, respect others, including shopkeepers, and say "Great to see you again".

But council leader Jeremy Kite said the most important message for him was "let's not rush this".

Every shopkeeper had been offered advice on limiting numbers and the council has taken on three "hosts" to monitor queues and keep traffic flow moving.

Cllr Kite said: "I would hope people don't get up early to get to the shops like they did when lockdown started. Lack of stock is no longer an issue and there's no reason why those who used to shop between 11am and 3pm don't go after 3."

Advice posted on the Priory shopping centre website says: "When visiting the shopping centre, please KEEP LEFT and keep at least two metres apart from others at all times. If you need to cross the mall, you may do so as long as it is safe whilst maintaining the social distancing rule. Plan your purchase in advance to limit the risk to yourself and to others."

The Orchard's website says: "There will be some shops that will remain closed until all safety measures are fully in place, but hopefully it won't be long and we will keep you all informed and duly updated."

Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh

Eleven high streets in the district will be back in business as more shops prepare to open.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council says it is supporting businesses with a “range of activities” - although these have yet to be revealed.

In Folkestone, Bouverie Place shopping mall has confirmed it will be putting a one-way system and extra signs in place to keep customers apart.

Cards Direct, Choice, JD Sports, Deichmann and Sports Direct are all set to reopen from Monday, while Specsavers will be going back to full time trading hours.

Folkestone’s town centre market has also returned after more than 10 weeks of absence.

In Hythe, Henry’s Wine Bar and Chocolate Café, Home and Hobby DIY and Posh Potions are all planning to reopen from Monday, plus others.

There is also a proposal to extend the temporary pedestrianisation of part of the High Street and Bank Street to ensure social distancing can be applied.

Cllr David Monk, leader of FHDC, said: "Shops that do reopen on Monday will need to have implemented the recommended Government guidelines and the council is supporting this with a range of activities.

"It’s also essential that shoppers and visitors to high streets across the district follow guidance to ensure the re-opening is a success."

Gravesend

New signs, longer queues and marshals to point you in the right direction will welcome shoppers back to Gravesend.

Council leader Cllr John Burden said: "People will be coming back to a town that is very different to the one they knew pre-lockdown.

"Ever since the government announced June 15 as the date non-essential businesses can reopen, we have been in discussions with traders about the measures needed to ensure the safety of themselves, their staff and visitors.

"Anyone who has visited the town centre in the last week or two will have already seen quite lengthy queues for some of the bigger stores and banks and building societies. These will only grow as more businesses open.

"We are working closely with businesses to ensure queues for different premises don’t merge and that there is room for people to pass on their way to other destinations."

A fresh produce market reopened on Saturday at Gravesend Borough Market. Regular stallholders will be back from Tuesday.

Maidstone

Queues outside shops in Maidstone town centre will be limited to the length of the front of the store and if they get any longer, shoppers will have to come back later to avoid blocking the pavement.

Signs will be up reminding customers about social distancing and people should stay to the left when walking down some narrow streets.

To help with the shopping experience, One Maidstone Ambassadors will be available to offer information and advice, while police will also patrol the town centre.

John Foster, head of economic development at Maidstone Borough Council said: "Opening up our town centres is vital to their future success and those essential businesses within them.

"We are working closely with One Maidstone and all our partners to make sure this is done as safely as possible. We will be keeping a very close eye on the situation and may need to make changes as things progress; this is a completely new scenario for all of us."

Access to The Mall, in King Street, will be closely monitored and access will be reduced or temporarily stopped if the number of shoppers rises to levels that prevent social distancing.

Shops in Fremlin Walk will also be opening their shutters, with enhanced cleaning regimes, increased security and signs.

Car parks are open and parking charges still apply. Contactless payments can be made via the RingGo app but the machines will also be cleaned regularly.

Medway

A range of safety measures are being introduced to high streets in the Towns to comply with government guidelines, including new signs, street markings and temporary barriers.

At the Pentagon in Chatham, staff will be monitoring the number of shoppers who come in and out and operating a one-way system.

The cleaning team will be sanitising all touch point areas regularly and hand sanitising stations will be installed. The number of people in the lifts will be limited and public seating removed.

Chatham's Dockside Outlet Centre already has a one-way system in place and it's thought footfall could reduce from the usual 1,000-plus customers on a normal Saturday to between 300 and 400.

Hempstead Valley is also gearing up for business. A statement reads: "We are aware that a number of the retailers that have remained closed are preparing to reopen.

"We would like to ask our customers to take note of the new signage in place at the centre and to follow the instructions from our members of staff, who at times will be assisting with queue management for the safety of all customers, retailers and those working within the centre."

Cllr Jane Chitty, who is in charge of economic growth in Medway, said: "Clearly, all shops and businesses have been under huge strain and uncertainty. This is a small step but has to be a positive one. We are talking about people's livelihoods and taking this away has been tough.

"It really highlights the value of our high streets not just on a business level, but a social level. They are part of our everyday life.

"The internet is great, but we need human interaction – a thank you, a nod, a smile, it's what makes us tick."

Sevenoaks

Plans have been put in place to make shopping centres in Edenbridge, Sevenoaks, Swanley and Westerham as safe as possible.

Among the measures to ensure social distancing will be screens, floor markings and increased cleaning scheduled while individual businesses have put in new procedures to limit the number of people in their store at any one time.

Support packs have been made available to businesses and the council is installing extra litter bins and hand sanitiser stations.

Wettons, a local cleaning firm, will also be providing some of their staff for free to support cleaning in Sevenoaks.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, said: "The past few months have clearly been incredibly difficult for many within our communities and our towns businesses have felt the impact.

"We moved quickly to get the financial and other support out the door and into the bank accounts of eligible businesses. We are now going to do everything we can to support our traders as the lockdown is eased."

Tonbridge and Malling

High street support officers will be on hand in and around Tonbridge to help guide shoppers when more stores open.

There will also be posters, street signs and messages on social media to remind people to maintain social distancing.

Tonbridge High Street, and villages including Borough Green and West Malling are expected to see around 600 stores open their doors for the first time in more than two months.

Council bosses say there will be additional cleaning of street furniture such as benches and other public facilities while CCTV will be used to monitor queues and identify any overcrowding issues.

Council leader, Nicolas Heslop, said: "While things will be different and social distancing the new norm, shopping locally and safely is the best way we can support local businesses and breathe life back into our local economy.

"If everyone works collaboratively and acts responsibly I’m confident we can continue to make progress and navigate the road to recovery. By working together and observing the rules, we can make our towns and villages safe and welcoming spaces once again."

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