Business premises reopen for the first time in almost three months as more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Retailers said they were relieved to be trading again, but warned the shopping experience would be different. Many premises now operate with new signage, elaborate queueing and hygiene systems.
After months at home, customers were keen to get back shopping in person with upwards of 100,000 visitors expected in Dublin city centre today.
Gordon Newman, market director at Lifestyle Sports, says they have been preparing for weeks to reopen.
We'll be limiting the number of people that can come in and browse at any time.
Shops have been requested to adjust opening hours to ensure there is enough capacity on rush hour public transport for essential workers. Richard Guiney, chief executive of DublinTown, explains that public transport is capped at 20 per cent capacity which will reduce the level of footfall in the city.
Businesses are opening up into a loss making situation.
At the IKEA store in Ballymun large numbers queued outside waiting to get access.
In Cork city, retailers were also relieved to welcome customers back to their stores. Eileen Madden, Pro Musica, is emotional about meeting customers and staff again. Maria Young, Mahers Pure Coffee, is also happy to be open again but says that online trade was a lifesaver.
Only retail outlets with their own street entrances were permitted to reopen so many shopping centres with multiple retailers remain closed. Larger retailers like Penneys, Arnotts and Brown Thomas are also waiting a few more days before reopening. Mark Limby, store director at Arnotts and Brown Thomas says they are determined to get their reopening right by putting appropriate safe measures in place.
Despite many retailers feeling upbeat about trading again, others like Debenhams will not reopen.
An RTÉ News reports broadcast on 8 June 2020. The reporter is Will Goodbody.
