ONE of Wiltshire’s largest garden centres has warned customers they will be asked to leave if they do not follow the Government’s two-metre social distancing guidelines while shopping.

The Whitehall Garden Centre at Lacock finally re-opened this month along with many other garden centres and plant nurseries.

The Self family-owned centre said on its website: "To help keep everyone safe whilst shopping in our centres, we kindly ask that you observe our strict social distancing measures when you visit.

"Customers who do not follow social distancing guidelines may be asked to leave."

Whitehall has put social distancing markers at the store entrance to ensure people keep apart and is limiting the number of customers who are allowed to enter the centre at any one time.

It says: “No more than two people from the same household will be allowed into the centre at the same time. A parent and child in a buggy would be counted as one person.

“We appreciate our customers normally enjoy browsing our stores, but in order to shop safely and reduce queuing, we encourage you to shop efficiently.

“Please observe the social distancing two-metre space markings and follow the directional arrows, which will help us keep everyone safe, and guide you to all parts of our store that are open.

“We aim to make all plant areas, garden goods and outdoor living products available. Please note some other ranges may be restricted.”

Trolley handles and baskets will be cleaned regularly and hand sanitisers available at the entrance.

Customer numbers will be restricted in some areas of the centre, and other areas, such as the restaurant, toilets, children’s play areas and garden areas, will remain closed for the foreseeable future.Most garden centres, plant centres and nurseries across north and west Wiltshire were today (Monday, May 25) making bank holiday hay while the sun shines after re-opening following the Government’s Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown.

They included plant sales areas in the large DIY superstores at B&Q in Devizes and Trowbridge, Wickes in Chippenham and Trowbridge, and Homebase in Chippenham.

Matt Webb, of Avonfield Garden Centre in Hilperton, was delighted to have re-opened but, like many other centres and nurseries, had introduced a local delivery service in order to survive the lockdown.

Mr Webb said: “Over the past seven weeks we have introduced an on-line ordering system and have received about 1,300 orders.

"Our business was not designed for online ordering but we felt that it was important to keep our customers gardening to help them through this very difficult ‘lockdown’ period.

“This has been incredibly challenging to achieve and we know that it has not been a perfect process and some customers orders were not fulfilled as quickly as we would have liked.

"On the other hand, we have managed to successfully deliver to the vast majority and are so grateful for their kind comments."

Mr Webb added: “Clearly there will be social distancing rules in place to protect our customers and our staff and we request that customers abide by these rules, most of which are common sense.

"As we have all got used to over the past weeks, some delays are inevitable so please be patient."

Some centres have had to make internal adjustments to make it easier for customers to shop, while keeping customers out of some areas.

They include the Acres Supply Garden Centre at Corsley and the Lakeside Garden Centre just off the A350 at Crockerton.

Some centres are only taking cards, not cash, and have installed screens around tills to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection.

Lakeside Garden Centre just off the A350 at Crockerton, said: “It may feel a little different when you next visit us as we have made several changes throughout the garden centre to ensure the safety of both customers and staff.

“When you arrive at the garden centre you will find the entrance has an easy to understand queuing area with social distancing measures. This will allow staff to closely monitor the number of customers in the Garden centre.

“We are limiting the number of customers in the garden centre at any one time and will be operating a one in one out policy. Although it may be difficult, we kindly ask customers not to browse, simply select your goods and make your way to the till and exit.

“Please visit us on your own or with one other family member. Only Assistant dogs will be welcome.

“We have changed the layout to enable customers to easily flow through the garden centre.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept cash as a form of payment. We will only be taking card payment. We have increased the contactless limit to £45.

“Naturally, we ask all our customers to follow the 2m social distancing advice at all times.

“After having the doors to the garden centre closed for so long, we are thrilled at the prospect of getting our customers gardening again.

Lowden Garden at Bath Road, Shaw, said: “We have erected screens around our tills, enforced one way systems around the tighter areas and are limiting the number of people allowed onto the Garden Centre at one time - however we are open.

“Every one of our customers has been greatly missed and we can't wait to welcome you all back.”

Downside Nurseries, at Upper Westwood, near Bradford on Avon, re-opened on May 16. Owners, Lorraine and Richard Young, said: “We are delighted to be open again and look forward to welcoming our customers old and new to the nursery soon.

“To help us adhere to the social distancing requirements, we ask that no more than two adults shop together, children should only come if it is unavoidable and must stay within one metre of your trolly and that you follow the one-way signs and where two-way traffic is unavoidable please be considerate.”

Karen Harris, of the The Old Milestone Nursery at Holt said: “With the demand being high, we are expecting to be extremely busy.

“We have adhered to the Government Guidelines and we all need to respect these and work together. If you arrive and there are no allocated parking spaces, you will need to try again, be it later or another day.

“Do not worry, we have plenty of stock and all at the high standards we set ourselves. Again, please respect and adhere to the precautions we have put in place. We look forward to seeing you over the summer.”