BOLTON'S DFS store will be welcoming customers back through its doors tomorrow, Friday.

The furniture firm's outlet on Middlebrook Retail Park will reopen after the business made the decision following the Government's advice to allow "homeware" retails to start trading again.

The showroom will be operating with new processes and safety measures in place to adhere to social distancing rules.

This will include daily temperature checks for employees, limiting the number of customers in the showroom at any one time and the introduction hand sanitiser stations.

Managing director of DFS, Nick Smith, 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.”

“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 Bolton store.”

Stores in Leicester and Milton Keynes will open on Friday with further stores in England due to reopen from Friday, May 29 onwards.

As part of a range of new protective measures, DFS will also be implementing two new store schemes to help customers limit the time they spend in store, including:

• A new appointment service for customers who want to seek advice and purchase furniture as quickly and efficiently as possible.

• 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 over the phone, or on the DFS website.

DFS has also restarted limited deliveries in the area.

The company will not be delivering to any homes where the customer is shielding because they are at risk or are symptomatic.

In such instances, DFS will offer a revised doorstep delivery option, or will store the order until delivery can be fulfilled safely.