A FURNITURE store in Oxford has now reopened after homeware stores were given the green light from the Government.

DFS on Botley Road is welcoming customers back to the store as part of its phased reopening plan.

The showroom will be operating with new processes and safety measures in place, such as comprehensive staff training to ensure adherence to new processes and social distancing; daily temperature checks for employees; limiting the number of customers in the showrooms at any one time; and introducing hand sanitiser stations.

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It will also be increasing the frequency of cleaning high contact areas and provide face masks and gloves for colleagues who wish to use them.

Nick Smith, managing director of DFS, said: “Since temporarily closing the majority of our operations almost eight weeks ago, we have assessed and adapted our processes across our manufacturing, retail and delivery operations to ensure we can prioritise colleague and customer safety.

"We have been careful to test these new operating processes by reopening just a handful of stores to begin with before expanding more widely across our estate.

“While the relatively larger size of DFS’ stores means we can effectively maintain strict social distancing, by implementing additional safety measures in line with Government and British Retail Consortium guidance, we are well prepared to welcome colleagues and customers back into our Oxford store.”

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Customers can browse and buy at DFS following new social distancing guidelines and there are two new initiatives to help customers limit the time they spend in store.

These are: a new appointment service for customers who want to get advice and buy furniture as quickly and efficiently as possible and a comfort test service that allows customers to pop in store to test the product and then complete their order from the comfort of their own home.